| Summary: | Scientists of all field agree that meteorology focuses upon the biggest, toughest and probably most exciting single subject of modern scientific inquiry: The more than four billion cubic miles (16.7 billion km3) of atmosphere whose turbulent movements make the world's varied weather. This book traces the basic circulations of heat and winds from equator to poles, and explains the many phenomena of weather, from hailstones to hurricanes. It describes how modern meteorologists, armed with such tools as radar, laser beams and computers, may change civilization itself as they make more accurate predictions and possibly modify the weather. Each chapter of text is followed by a supplementary picture essay, although each may be read independently. For example, Chapter 7, "The Inexact Art of Forecasting," describing the operations of the National Weather Service, precedes a picture essay on "The Home Weatherman."
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