Atmosphere and weather systems. First 6 lessons 3.3.1 Global
atmospheric circulation . With accompanying student workbook

• Definitions of weather and climate; the structure and
composition of the atmosphere and the role different gases
play in climate.

• The general circulation of the atmosphere, and ocean
circulation, redistributes heat energy across the planet and
influences the locations of high and low pressure areas. (1)

• Different types of precipitation and the causes of orographic,
frontal and convectional rainfall.

• The sources, characteristics, tracks and modification of
equatorial, tropical, polar and arctic air masses.

• The concept of the migration of the heat equator and seasonal
variations in the position of ITCZ and its impacts of
temperature and precipitation (including monsoons). (2)

• The impact of the polar front and polar front jet stream and
Rossby waves on mid-latitude weather.