Lumpar is blanketed by a thick layer of atmosphere. It is an essential component because if there were no atmosphere, Lumpar would not only be lifeless but many of the processes and interactions that make this planet dynamic could not operate. This thick envelope not only provides breathable air but it also protects life from Nus' intense heat and dangerous ultraviolet radiation.
The atmosphere is divided into several layers, the lowest being the troposphere. It is this layer of the atmosphere, which lies closest to Lumpar's surface, that all weather occurs. The atmosphere becomes progressively thinner as you gradually move away from the planet's surface.
Ocean Currents
Ocean currents are a result of action of wind upon the ocean surface, contrasts in sea water density and tidal forces. The fast speed at which Lumpar rotates causes long ocean currents, creating wind. The large permanent ocean currents are maintained by prevailing winds.
The wind moves over the ocean water in large circles. These circular movements move both counter clockwise and clockwise. The meeting of the erratic currents of Lumpar's two oceans result in an explosive and violent crashing of waves.
Ocean water is warmest a few miles north of the Equator. This is due to Lumpar's 28 degree tilt. It is this latitudinal region that receives the most direct nuslight.
Wind Currents
Just as the atmoshphere tends to equalize heat distribution, air flow cools the land surface. Lumpar's 18 hour day and strong ocean currents contribute to the development of long air currents that wrap around the planet. During the day, wind blows from surrounding water toward land. This occurs because Nus warms the land more quickly than the ocean. As the warm air over the land rises, cooler air from the ocean rushes in resulting in sea breezes.
During the night time, conditions are reversed. The land cools off more rapidly than the water. The now cooler land air pushes towards the comparitively warmer water creating land breezes.
The picture of Lumpar's wind systems is far from complete. What is known, as on Earth, winds blow from warmer areas to cooler areas. The winds are a major and crucial factor in distributing Nus' heat evenly around the world. The uneven heating of the air, together with the turning of Lumpar, causes these wind patterns.
Weather
On any typical day, Lumpar experiences an enormous range of weather, from sunny summer mornings to icy mid-winter blizzards and violent tropical thunderstorms. Several months later, entirely different conditions may prevail in exactly the same place. The many variations of weather are instances of climate. The average temperature on Lumpar is 82 degrees F. Temperature lows have been known to drop to -107 degees F. The highest temperature ever recorded was an impressive 139.3 degrees Farenheit.
Climate
Because Nus heats Lumpar unevenly, the rays of the sun fall more directly just north of the Equator than upon any other regions. The difference in Lumpar's heating produces areas of different pressures (highs and lows) and as result, a general pattern of air motion is set up all over Lumpar which eventually creates climate. Climate acts as the controlling mechanism that determines the patterns of both vegetation and soil throughout the world.
Here the map shows that climatic regions on Lumpar are roughly arranged by lattitude. Most of the warmer regions are located slightly above the Equator. Lumpar has a total of eight major climatic regions: (1) The permanent ice cover remains frozen year round with temperatures dropping as low as -130 dergrees Farenheit and reaching no higher than -68 degrees Farenheit. (2)Lumpar's tundra and alpine have characteristics that are much different from Earth. Tundra biomes are capable of supporting trees. Permafrost is found at much lower depths.
Temperate regions tend to be a little warmer than Earth's. Its vegetation and animal species is not very diverse. This is probably due to the fact that it is surrounded by somewhat harsh conditions. Temperature climates are rarely very hot or very cold in the temperate forest. Many types of plant are dormant during winter. The tropical rain forest is hot and wet throughout the year. This climate results in the most plant and animal growth in the world. Dry grasslands occur in the middle of Lumpar. The temperatures are extreme and there is not enough rainfall for forests to grow. This area has very hot summers and very cold winters. Tropical grasslands occur north of the Equator and the climate is always hot. The year in this region is divided into a dry and a wet season.
Seasons
During the year Lumpar experiences three major seasons: winter, spring, and summer. Summer actually occurs twice. The first summer, Summer 1, occurs as the planet is coming out of winter. It is longer than the second summer and slightly resembles Earth's fall, except for it being about eight degrees warmer.
Summer 2 is the shortest season. During this season, temperatures have been known to average 130 degrees Farenheit in the desert. The two summers ensure that winter is not too harsh. The effects from both summers are lessoned by a cooler than expected spring. It is during spring that Lumpar is furthest away from Nus. Although closer to Nus during winter, most of the sun's radiation is blocked and the overall planet experiences a significant cooling.
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