Weather

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to weather and atmospheric science, focusing on definitions and key concepts from the lecture notes.

Weather

The short-term condition of the atmosphere.

Climate

The long-term average of weather patterns.

Differential Heating

The unequal heating of the Earth's surface causing temperature variations.

Convection Cells

Loops of moving air caused by the rising and sinking of warm and cold air.

Barometer

An instrument that measures air pressure.

Anemometer

An instrument that measures wind speed.

Thermometer

An instrument that measures temperature.

Psychrometer

An instrument that measures relative humidity and dew point.

Air Density

How tightly packed air molecules are.

Dew Point

The temperature at which air is 100% saturated with water vapor.

Condensation Nuclei

Particles that help water vapor condense into droplets.

Specific Heat Capacity

How fast a substance heats up or cools down.

Sea Breeze

Wind that blows from the ocean to land due to pressure differences.

Land Breeze

Wind that blows from land to the ocean at night.

Coriolis Effect

The curving of winds caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Jet Stream

High-altitude winds that steer weather patterns.

Air Mass

A large body of air with similar temperature and moisture throughout.

Frontal Systems

Boundaries between different air masses that lead to weather changes.

Mid-Latitude Cyclone

A storm system characterized by inward blowing winds and low pressure.

Isobars

Lines on a map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.

Thunderstorm

A storm that produces thunder and lightning.

Tornado

A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.

Hurricane

A massive rotating storm system with a low-pressure center.

Storm Surge

Ocean water pushed ashore by a hurricane's winds, causing flooding.

Lake-Effect Snow

Snow that forms when cold air moves over a warm lake.

Blizzard

A severe snowstorm with high winds and low visibility.

Drought

A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall.

Volcano

An opening in the Earth's crust where molten rock, ash, and gases can escape.

Pyroclastic Flow

A fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter.

Weather

The short-term condition of the atmosphere.

Climate

The long-term average of weather conditions.

Thermometer

An instrument that measures temperature.

Barometer

An instrument that measures air pressure.

Wind Vane

An instrument that measures wind direction.

Anemometer

An instrument that measures wind speed.

Psychrometer

An instrument that measures relative humidity and dew point.

Convection Cells

Loops of moving air resulting in wind and storms.

Dew Point

The temperature at which air becomes 100% saturated with water vapor.

Precipitation Types

Various forms of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain.

Tornado Alley

A region in the U.S. known for frequent tornadoes.

Hurricane

A massive storm system driven by warm ocean water.

Jet Stream

High-altitude winds that guide weather patterns.

Isobars

Lines connecting points of equal pressure on a weather map.

Air Mass

A large body of air with uniform temperature and moisture.

Cold Front

Cold air moves in quickly, pushing warm air upwards.

Warm Front

Warm air gently slides over cold air, leading to steady precipitation.

Station Model

A symbol used to summarize weather data at a location.

Weather

The short-term condition of the atmosphere (current state).

Climate

The long-term average of weather in a particular area.

Meteorological Instruments

Tools used to measure various atmospheric conditions.

Thermometer

Measures temperature.

Barometer

Measures air pressure; falling pressure indicates storm.

Wind Vane

Measures wind direction.

Anemometer

Measures wind speed.

Psychrometer/Hygrometer

Measures relative humidity and dew point.

Convection Cells

A loop of moving air describing the process of warm air rising and cool air sinking.

Specific Heat Capacity

The speed at which a substance heats up or cools down.

Dew Point

The temperature where air becomes 100% saturated with water vapor.

Cold Front

Occurs when cold air moves in quickly, pushing warm air upwards.

Warm Front

Warm air gently slides over cold air, leading to steady precipitation.

Cyclone

Standard storm systems characterized by winds blowing inward and counterclockwise around a low-pressure center.

Tornado

Violently rotating columns of air extending from clouds to the ground.

Hurricane

Massive storm systems driven by warm ocean water, classified as tropical cyclones.

Natural Hazard

A natural event that threatens human life or property.

Thunderstorm

Storms generating lightning and thunder, requiring moisture, instability, and lift.

Weather

The short-term condition of the atmosphere (current state).

Climate

The long-term average of weather in a particular area.

Meteorological Instruments

Tools used to measure various atmospheric conditions.

Thermometer

Measures temperature.

Barometer

Measures air pressure; falling pressure indicates storm.

Wind Vane

Measures wind direction.

Anemometer

Measures wind speed.

Psychrometer/Hygrometer

Measures relative humidity and dew point.

Convection Cells

A loop of moving air describing the process of warm air rising and cool air sinking.

Specific Heat Capacity

The speed at which a substance heats up or cools down.

Dew Point

The temperature where air becomes 100% saturated with water vapor.

Cold Front

Occurs when cold air moves in quickly, pushing warm air upwards.

Warm Front

Warm air gently slides over cold air, leading to steady precipitation.

Cyclone

Standard storm systems characterized by winds blowing inward and counterclockwise around a low-pressure center.

Tornado

Violently rotating columns of air extending from clouds to the ground.

Hurricane

Massive storm systems driven by warm ocean water, classified as tropical cyclones.

Natural Hazard

A natural event that threatens human life or property.

Thunderstorm

Storms generating lightning and thunder, requiring moisture, instability, and lift.