Non-meteorological

Relating to phenomena, processes, or events that are not primarily or directly associated with the atmosphere, weather, or climate. This encompasses a vast array of disciplines and activities. It contrasts with meteorological studies, which focus on atmospheric conditions. The term is crucial in distinguishing between factors driven by atmospheric effects (like rainfall) and those driven by other physical, chemical, biological, or social mechanisms. Essentially, it describes anything outside the direct purview of weather and climate studies, including geology, economics, and even aspects of social behavior unrelated to weather events.

Non-meteorological meaning with examples

• The study of soil erosion in a particular region, focusing on factors such as land use practices, geological composition, and river flow, is a non-meteorological investigation. While heavy rainfall might indirectly influence erosion, the primary focus remains on the geological and anthropogenic drivers, excluding an in-depth analysis of the atmospheric conditions that caused the rain.
• When analyzing the impact of a major earthquake, the seismological analysis of ground motion, the structural engineering assessment of building damage, and the sociological studies of disaster response represent non-meteorological facets. Atmospheric phenomena can have indirect impacts but are not a central focus of the work.
• Evaluating the economic effects of a new government policy, or of international trade, is a non-meteorological undertaking. While weather can affect sectors like agriculture, the study concentrates on financial markets, government regulations, and consumer behavior, independent of direct atmospheric impacts or climate variations.
• A researcher examining the impact of a new fertilizer on crop yields would be engaging in a non-meteorological study. The core interest lies in plant biology, soil science, and the fertilizer’s composition, with a focus on growth and output. Though rainfall impacts crop yield, that impact is accounted for as a constant factor or a controlled variable.