Meteorology Quiz #2

Condensation Nuclei

Particulates in the air where water condensation occurs

Adiabatic Cooling

Process where air rises, expands, and cools

Fog

A stratus cloud that forms with its base at or near the ground

Precipitation

Any water leaving a cloud

What happens to the temperature of the air as an air mass rises in the atmosphere?

The temperature decreases

Cirrus

They are high, thin, and wispy

Stratus

sheets or layers that cover most of the sky

Cumulus

globular cloud masses often associated with fair weather

What type of cloud is known for thunderstorms?

Cumulonimbus

Know the four ways to make air rise?

Convergence, Frontal Wedging, Localized Lifting, Orographic Lifting

How do we classify clouds?

Altitude and shape

What is the difference between the Bergeron process and the Collision-Coalescence process?

Bergeron - Temperature in the cloud is below freezing

Collision Coalescene - Warm clouds and large droplets form

When a pocket of air is rising in the atmosphere, when does a cloud actually form?

When air is at 100% relative humidity or cools below dew point

Stationary Front

when a warm air mass and a cold air mass meet and no movement occurs

Cold Front

A front where cold air moves in under a warm air mass

Warm Front

the front of an advancing mass of warmer air

Occluded Front

When a cold front catches up to a warm front and forces all the warm air up forming storms (mid - latitude cyclones)

Know the four main types of air masses

Continental Polar - land, near poles

Continental Tropical - land, near equator

Maritime Polar - water, near poles

Maritime Tropical - water, near equator

What are the characteristics of the four main air masses?

cP = dry and cold

cT = dry and warm

mp = humid and cold

mT = humid and warm

Where would precipitation occur along a cold front when displayed on a weather map?

It occurs behind or at a cold front

Where would precipitation occur along a warm front when displayed on a weather map?

Ahead of the front

Mid - Latitude Cyclones

forms along a front where air masses are moving parallel to the front in opposite directions

What are the four phases of the mid latitude cyclone?

#1 - stationary front forms

#2 - a warm front + cold front forms

#3 - cold front starts to catch up to a warm front

#4 - occluded front

What causes a thunderstorm?

• Cold Front

• Cumulonimbus Clouds

• Warm, rising air

• Humidity

What is a tornado? Why do they form?

Localized storm (wind) of short duration from a thunderstorm

Wind shear + rotation within a thunderstorm

Tornado Watch

This is an alert issued when weather conditions are right for a tornado

Tornado Warning

an announcement that a tornado has been seen in the sky or on weather radar

What is a hurricane? Why do they form?

• A large tropical system that forms over warm ocean water in late summer

• Warm water evaporates, then condenses and releases heat + energy

When do hurricanes die down?

Cooler water, go over land, and high level wind that counteracts the storm

What causes the most damage during a hurricane?

Flooding due to immense rain fall, High winds, and storm surge

Rain Formation

Collision coalescence process and cloud droplets combining

Sleet Formation

rain passes through cold air and freezes the rain into pellets

Snow Formation

Bergeron process creates snowflakes and below freezing