Atmospheric Pressure and Wind Systems

Flashcards to review key vocabulary and concepts related to atmospheric pressure and wind systems.

Wind

Movement of air caused by differences in air pressure.

Air Pressure

The weight of air above a given level, which decreases with height.

Tropopause

The atmospheric boundary layer separating the troposphere and the stratosphere.

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

The force that drives wind, created by differences in atmospheric pressure.

Aneroid Barometer

Instrument for measuring air pressure using a partially evacuated chamber.

Isobaric Maps

Upper-air charts showing height variations along a constant pressure surface.

Coriolis Effect

The apparent force causing winds to deflect due to Earth's rotation.

Geostrophic Wind

Wind that blows parallel to isobars, resulting from a balance of pressure gradient and Coriolis forces.

Surface Wind

Wind movement near the Earth's surface, influenced by pressure differences and surface friction.

Cyclone

A center of low pressure, causing inward and counterclockwise winds in the Northern Hemisphere.

Anticyclone

A center of high pressure, causing outward and clockwise winds in the Northern Hemisphere.

Friction Force

The force that reduces wind speed, affecting wind direction and speed near the surface.

Weather Chart

A visual representation showing atmospheric pressure, wind direction, and other meteorological conditions.

Isobars

Lines connecting areas of equal atmospheric pressure on a weather map.

Station Pressure

Barometer reading at a specific location and elevation corrected for various factors.

Elevation Correction

Adjustment made to obtain sea level pressure from station pressure.

Hydrostatic Equilibrium

The balance between the upward pressure gradient force and the downward force of gravity.

Gradient Wind

A theoretical wind that blows parallel to curved isobars, including pressure gradient, Coriolis, and centrifugal forces.

Valley Breeze

A local wind that blows uphill during the day.

Mountain Breeze

A local wind that blows downhill at night.

Monsoon

Seasonal winds that change direction, significantly affecting weather patterns.

Local Winds

Winds influenced by local geographic features and thermal differences.

Sea Breeze

A coastal breeze blowing from the water onto the land.

Land Breeze

A breeze blowing from the land onto the water at night.

Beaufort Scale

A scale used to estimate wind speed based on observed conditions.

Anemometer

An instrument used to measure wind speed.

Pressure Tendency

The change in air pressure over time, indicating potential weather changes.

Centripetal Force

An imbalance between the Coriolis force and the pressure gradient force affecting wind direction.

Upper-Level Winds

Winds flowing at higher altitudes, influenced by pressure gradients and Coriolis force.

Thermal Circulation

Air movement driven by temperature differences, creating zones of high and low pressure.

Cumuliform Clouds

Clouds that form as warm air rises and cools, often associated with valley and mountain breezes.