Meteorology is a scientific partial discipline of physics, parts of which are also classified as geosciences. Sub areas of meteorology include climatology and meteorology.

Meteorology is a comparatively recent science which has a very interdisciplinary character, even though it is classified as being part of physics. Thus it falls back on not only physics but mathematical expertise, computer sciences, chemistry and ultimately medicine and biology when the focus is on the influence on humans, plants
and animals. Its focus is on nature and humanity within processes taking place in the earth’s atmosphere.

According to the procedure that is used, this procedure is classified as general, theoretical or experimental meteorology. When classified according to the technologies used one speaks of satellite, radar and LIDAR technologies whereby the latter performs its measurements with the help of lazer technology. Equally it can
be classified according to regional factors – such as polar meteorology, alpine meteorology or tropical meteorology.
The predominant conditions in the earth’s atmosphere can only be emulated in laboratories to a certain extent.

That is why meteorology depends on observing processes in the atmosphere directly, which leads to a huge amount of data that must be processed, making it more difficult to derive individual fixed principles from it.

The most important auxiliary means today are satellites and weather stations that were specifically constructed to observe the atmosphere and which form a worldwide network. The goal is to investigate the climate of the earth for the long term and in the short and medium term to predict the weather. In doing so the focus is on avoiding dangers which can emanate from extreme weather situations and to predict the conditions for agriculture to avoid damage and to improve the conditions for the production of food. The gasses that are in the atmosphere can be observed with the help of satellites, making it possible to draw conclusions on gaps in the ozone layers which would increase the force of insolation. Amounts of precipitation or the speed of winds over the oceans can also only be determined via satellite as there are no earth-bound weather stations there. The prediction of the strength of periodical weather phenomena such as monsoons supplies vital indications for agriculture in
the areas that are affected.

Meteorological findings have an impact on our everyday life. Short term effects can be predicted by measuring precipitation with a focus on floods. If regional characteristics are included, global weather predictions for individual areas can be refined. When the speed of winds is measured in remote areas, predictions can be
made as to whether warnings must be issued for certain endangered areas.