Scales of Atmospheric Circulations

Flashcards covering key concepts related to scales of atmospheric circulations, aspects of weather phenomena, and their characteristics.

Atmospheric Composition

The mixture of gases, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and other trace gases that make up the Earth's atmosphere.

Airmasses

Large bodies of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.

Cyclones

Weather systems characterized by low pressure and rotating winds.

Macro Scale

The largest scale of atmospheric motion, typically involving phenomena with horizontal dimensions of about 5000 km.

Meso Scale

Medium scale circulations typically between 1 and 1,000 nautical miles.

Micro Scale

The smallest scale of atmospheric phenomena, usually less than 20 km in size.

General Circulation

The wind system that extends over the entire globe, primarily observed on a macro scale.

Coriolis Effect

The apparent deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Hadley Cell

Atmospheric circulation cell that extends from the equator to 30 degrees latitude, where air rises at the equator and sinks at 30 degrees.

Monsoon Circulation

A macroscale wind pattern characterized by seasonal reversals in wind direction, particularly evident in South Asia.

Jet Stream

A narrow band of high-speed winds in the upper atmosphere that can significantly affect weather patterns.

Climatology

The study of average atmospheric conditions over extended periods.

Polar Front

The boundary between polar air masses and warmer air masses that affects the weather patterns.

Embedded Circulation

When smaller circulation systems exist within larger circulation patterns.

Tornado

A rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.

Dust Devil

A small, whirlwind-like phenomenon that occurs on hot, clear days, typically in desert regions.