MODULE 1: CLIMATE & WEATHER

Duration: March 2021

Session: Week 2
Number of Hours: 4 hours
Objective: To learn the basic of weather and climate and learn how to use climate
characteristics in the design.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

CLIMATE
∙ origin: from the Ancient Greek word ”klima”, meaning inclination
∙ Climate is the characteristic condition of the atmosphere near the earth's surface at a certain place
on earth. It is the long-term weather of that area (at least 30 years). This includes the region's
general pattern of weather conditions, seasons and weather extremes like hurricanes, droughts, or
rainy periods. Two of the most important factors determining an area's climate are air temperature
and precipitation.
∙ Macroclimate – climate of the entire region or country
∙ Microclimate – climate of the immediate environments which are affected by site features such as
hills, rivers, streams, lakes, position of buildings, trees etc.
∙ Monsoon – a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months, ushering in a region's rainy
season.

SEASONS
∙ As the Earth rotates on its tilted axis (23°30') around the sun, different parts of the Earth receive
higher and lower levels of radiant energy. The sun emits rays that hit the earth's surface at different
angles. These rays transmit the highest level of energy when they strike the earth at a right angle
(90 °). Temperatures in these areas tend to be higher. Other locations, where the sun's rays hit at
lesser angles, tend to be cooler. This creates the seasons.

TROPICAL CLIMATE
∙ A tropical climate is a kind of climate typical in the tropics
∙ Prevailing conditions:
a. Temperature average mean temperature (dbt): 20 – 30 deg C small diurnal
temperature change/range: 2-5 deg

b. Humidity Levels 50% - 100% RH (Relative Humidity)

 c. Wind Conditions Average wind speed: 2 m/s

d. Prevailing Wind (Philippines) Amihan (NE) – November to April

Habagat (SW) - May to October

e. Sky Conditions predominantly overcast; with considerable reflected heat/ solar gain

f. Precipitation average rainfall 1,000mm/year

TROPICS
∙ origin: from the Ancient Greek word ”tropos” meaning "turnThe tropics are the geographic region of
the Earth centered on the equator and limited in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern
hemisphere, at approximately 23°30' N latitude, and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern
hemisphere at 23°30' S latitude. This region is also referred to as the tropical zone and the torrid
zone.
− Tropic of Cancer – This parallel marks the farthest point north at which the sun can be seen
directly overhead at noon; north of the parallel the sun appears less
− Tropic of Capricorn – This parallel marks the farthest point south at which the sun can be seen
directly overhead at noon; south of the parallel the sun appears less
∙ The sun is directly overhead at lat. 23°30' N on June 21 or 22, the summer solstice, and at lat. 23°30'
S on Dec. 21 or 22, the winter solstice. Since the entire tropical zone receives the rays of the sun
more directly than areas in higher latitudes, the average annual temperature of the tropics is higher
and the seasonal change of temperature is less than in other zones.
TROPICAL DESIGN
∙ an art and science of designing a building that uses tropical climate as basis upon which design
evolves. Applicable to tropical, sub-tropical and equatorial climates where discomfort due to heat
and humidity are dominant problems.

CLIMATE MODELS
∙ Climate models use quantitative methods to simulate the interactions of the atmosphere, oceans,
land surface and ice. They are used for a variety of purposes from study of the dynamics of the
weather and climate system to projections of future climate.

DISTANCE FROM THE SEA (CONTINENTALITY)

∙ Areas near the coasts generally have lower temperature but higher humidity level. They have
 greater cloud cover as due to the formation of clouds as warm inland air meets cooler sea air.
Landlocked areas experience a wider range of temperatures reaching the maximum in summer
because the moisture from the sea evaporates before reaching this distance.

DIRECTION OF PREVAILING WINDS

TOPOGRAPHY (ALTITUDE)
∙ Areas with higher altitude have lower temperature than areas near the sea level. Mountains also
receive more rainfall than low-lying areas. The air is also thinner in higher altitudes which make it
less able to absorb and retain heat.

PROXIMITY TO THE EQUATOR (LATITUDE)

∙ The equator receives greater solar exposure than any other part of the earth because it is
positioned directly to the heat of the sun, and the heat is received by a smaller area. The
temperature decreases in the areas approaching the north and south poles as the sun heats up a
bigger area and the heat is more spread out.

HUMAN INFLUENCE
∙ Human activities have been affecting the climate for millions of years. However, before the Industrial
Revolution (starting at the end of the 19th century), the effect human had on climate was quite
small. With the invention of the motor engine and the increase in burning of fossil fuels, the
amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere also increased. The depletion of forests
also meant that the extra carbon dioxide produced cannot be changed into oxygen, and only
contributed in warming up the earth.

Climatic Elements Required in Design

TEMPERATURE
∙ usually considered is Dry Bulb Temperature (DBT), it is a measurement of air temperature taken
within a shaded area using a silvered thermometer; expressed in °F or °C

RELATIVE HUMIDITY
∙ is the amount of water in the air usually measured by hygrometer (in %) or sling psychrometer or
Wet Bulb Temperature (WBT) expressed in °F or °C.

PRECIPITATION
∙ amount, frequency and intensity of rainfall (may also include hail, snow, dew) in the locality; usually
measured by rain gauge, can be expressed in mm or inches per unit time (day, month, year). WINDS
∙ direction, frequency and movement of air throughout the year.

SKY
∙ measured in hours of sunshine or cloud cover expressed in ratio and percentage. The measurement
of cloud cover is based on visual observation and expressed as a fraction of the sky hemisphere
(tenths, or 'octas' = eights) covered by clouds

SUNSHINE DURATION
∙ the period of clear sunshine (when a sharp shadow is cast), measured by a sunshine recorder
which burns a trace on a paper strip, expressed as hours per day or month.

SOLAR RADIATION
∙ amount of visible light, ultraviolet light and radiant heat; measured by a pyranometer, on an
unobstructed horizontal surface and recorded either as the continuously varying irradiance (W/m2),
or through an electronic integrator as irradiance over the hour or day.

Common climatic elements for building design

Temperature: - monthly mean of daily maxima (deg C)
- monthly mean of daily minima (deg C)
- standard deviation of distribution

Humidity: - early morning relative humidity (in %)

- early afternoon relative humidity (in %)

Solar radiation: - monthly mean daily total (in MJ/m2 or Wh/m2)

Wind: - prevailing wind speed (m/s) and direction

Rainfall: - monthly total (in mm)

Factors Affecting Climatic Design

The local micro-climate and site factors will affect the actual environmental conditions of the building.
The important site-related factors should be considered when making the climate analysis: ∙
Topography - elevation, slopes, hills and valleys, ground surface conditions. ∙ Vegetation - height,
mass, silhouette, texture, location, growth patterns.
∙ Built forms - nearby buildings, surface conditions.
Major thermal design factors to be studied include: solar heat gain, conduction heat flow and ventilation
heat flow. The design variables in architectural expression that are important will include:
∙ Shape - surface-to-volume ratio; orientation; building height.
∙ Building fabric - materials and construction; thermal insulation; surface qualities; shading and
sun control.
∙ Fenestration - the size, position and orientation of windows; window glass materials; external
and internal shading devices.
∙ Ventilation - air-tightness; outdoor fresh air; cross ventilation and natural ventilation.