British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Surface Temperature definition

Description: There are three types of surface temperatures: air, land and water/sea. Air temperature is measured about 2 metres from the surface. Taking the surface temperature on land can depend on the terrain (the soil and amount of vegetation); the temperature is measured at different points. The other variable that affects the surface temperature on land is the amount of reflected solar radiation. In mountainous regions, where there is snow and ice, there will be more solar radiation reflected, whereas in places that are in the shade, perhaps near the coast, there will be less solar radiation reflected. By taking different readings the temperature on land can be compared. Surface temperature at sea or on water is recorded at the surface. By comparing readings it's possible to predict weather patterns and the climate. Each country will have its own measurements and by comparing them it's possible to see how they affect cloud formation and the weather. That's why we measure the surface temperature.