Page 10 - Wind Waves and Weather

Petroleum Extension-The University of Texas at Austin

Weather





limate is the average course or condition of the weather in a Climate Versus
Cgiven area over a period of years. Temperature, wind veloc‑ Weather
ity, and precipitation affect climate. The climate of an area may
be hot, cold, wet, or dry. And, sometimes, it is referred to as
harsh or mild. Often, the latitude of an area affects its climate.
For example, lands near the equator are often tropical, which
means that they are hot and humid. On the other hand, lands
near the poles are usually cold.
Weather, on the other hand, is the state of the atmosphere:
is it hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, or clear or cloudy?
Often, the term weather identifies rain, storms, and other unfa‑
vorable atmospheric conditions.
Because offshore drilling crews usually stay in one region
for relatively short periods, changes in climate rarely affect them.
That is, climate changes normally take place only over long peri‑
ods and climate is different only at vastly different locations. An
offshore crew usually stays in one area for only a few months
or years. Decades or centuries may pass before a recognizable
climate change occurs, if then. Of course, weather changes can
occur rapidly. Indeed, travel virtually to any temperate zone
in the world, and you will likely hear somebody say, “If you
don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes, and it’ll change.”
The truth is that weather can change rapidly and unex‑
pectedly almost everywhere. Rapidly moving weather systems
change the weather in minutes or hours. Although the weather
can change radically in a short time, meteorologists can usu‑
ally predict upcoming weather changes as much as 24 hours in
advance. Being aware of impending violent weather can give
crewmembers time to prepare for it and prevent or limit danger
to themselves and the rig.

51

Wind-Waves-Weather.pdf 65 5/19/2016 1:53:20 PM