Climatology and Meterology

Earth Science Chapter 16-19

Climate

the average weather conditions over a 30-year period for a given region

Weather

short-term atmospheric conditions for a given region (i.e., hours, days, weeks)

Heats the stratosphere

Ozone (O3) absorbs UV rays and heats the stratosphere

Karman Line

the beginning of space (100 km)

Heat the thermosphere

Nitrogen and Oxygen atoms absorb solar radiation

sun’s angle

the seasons are determined by the _____ _______

isotherms

lines connecting points of equal temperature

Relative humidity

percentage of moisture the air could hold at a given temperature

Cirrus Clouds

Wispy, feathery appearance clouds  

Stratus Clouds

sheets or layers of clouds

Cumulus Clouds

Globular masses/ look like cotton balls

Cumulonimbus clouds

Tall Storm clouds

Cirrus Cloud

Coriolis effect

The curving of wind and water currents due to the rotation of the earth

Cyclone

Wind in the northern hemisphere moving counterclockwise

Anticyclone

Wind in the northern hemisphere moving clockwise

Lake Effect

Weather patterns that results in heavy precipitation in coastal lands along the Great Lakes after air masses pick up moisture moving across the lakes

Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale)

Scale used to rate the intensity of tornados