Joshua D. Durkee
Research Assistant
and
Glen Conner
State Climatologist for Kentucky
There are many other factors that can effect temperature changes in particular areas. Convection refers to vertical atmospheric motions of heat transfer, such as rising air currents, from one location to another (Danielson, Levin, Abrams 1998). The effect of convection causes warm surface air to rise and cooler air aloft to sink. Convergence is an atmospheric condition that exists when the distribution of wind results in a net horizontal inflow of air in a given area (Lutgens, Tarbuck 1992). Divergence is an atmospheric condition that exists when the distribution of winds result in a net horizontal outflow of air from a given area (Lutgens, Tarbuck 1992). Conduction is the transfer of heat by molecular activity from one substance to another, or through a substance, from warmer to colder regions (Ahrens, 1998.) Radiation cooling is the process by which the earth's surface and adjacent air cool by emitting infrared radiation (Ahrens, 1998). Advection is the horizontal transfer of any atmospheric property, such as heat, by the winds or ocean currents (Danielson, Levin, Abrams 1998).