Hydrology Introduction

1.1 What is hydrology?

          Hydrology is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources, and environmental watershed sustainability.

1.2 Factors affecting hydrology

(1)Weather pattern

(2)Physical factors-Topology, geology, and vegetation

(3)Human activities-urbanization

1.3 Importance of hydrology

(1)             To understand the process such as interception, infiltration, evaporation, and runoff.

(2)             To reorganize problems such as floods and droughts.

(3)             To weather forecasting.

(4)             To preparing of cropping calendar.

(5)             To soil conservation practices.

   1.4.1 Weather

Weather is defined as the study of atmosphere for short duration of limited area.

       1.4.2 Climate

                              Climate is defined as the study of the average weather conditions observed over a long period of time for a larger area.

   

 1.4.2 The difference between weather and climate

Weather	Climate
Weather is influenced by any of its predominant elements such as temperature and humidity.	Climate is the collective effect of all its elements.
The weather changes very often.	Climate is permanent for long-time period.
It is experienced over small areas of a country.	It is experienced over a large area of the continent.
A place can experience different types of weather conditions in an area.	A place can experience only one type of climate.