Meteorology Midterm

Annual range of temperature

The difference in average temperature between the warmest month and the coldest month.

Relative humidity

As the difference between the air temperature and the dew point increases, the relative humidity decreases.

Conditionally unstable atmosphere

An atmospheric condition that exists when the environmental lapse rate is less than the dry adiabatic rate but greater than the moist adiabatic rate.

Kelvin scale

The absolute temperature scale that contains no negative numbers, convenient for scientific computing.

Troposphere

All of the weather we are familiar with on Earth occurs in this layer of the atmosphere.

Nitrogen and oxygen

The most abundant gases in the Earth's present-day atmosphere (by volume).

Hydrogen and helium

Earth's first atmosphere was most likely composed of these gases.

Weather

The condition of the atmosphere at any particular time and place.

Temperature

The characteristic of air that provides a measure of the average speed of atoms and molecules.

Greenhouse effect

This effect is directly enhanced by the addition of water vapor to the atmosphere.

Convection

The transfer of heat by the mass movement of a fluid such as water and air.

Mean (average) daily temperature

The average of the highest and lowest temperature observed in a given 24-hour period.

Increases

As the air temperature increases, the air's capacity for water vapor __________.

Clear, calm

Nighttime radiation inversions occur on most __________ nights.

Evaporation from the ocean

This accounts for the majority of the water vapor added to the atmosphere each year.

Cirrus

Thin, wispy clouds blown by high winds into long streamers, called mare's tails.

Pressure gradient

The force that causes the wind to blow.

Geostrophic

A wind that blows at a constant speed parallel to straight line isobars, with the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force in balance.

Counterclockwise and inward toward

The wind around a surface low pressure center in the Northern Hemisphere blows __________.

6

A parcel rises and cools by __________ degrees Celsius per 1000m if its saturated.

Absolutely stable atmosphere

An atmospheric condition that exists when the environmental lapse rate is less than the moist adiabatic rate.

Lower

The air pressure at the summit of Mount Everest is __________ than the air pressure at sea level.

Above

All things with a temperature __________ absolute zero emit energy.

Ozone

The gas in the upper atmosphere that shields Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Temperature

The vertical profile of __________ is variable in each layer of Earth's atmosphere.

Fahrenheit

The freezing of pure water is 32° on this scale.

Latent heat of vaporization

The heat energy released when liquid changes to water vapor.

Kinetic energy

The energy of motion is known as __________.

Increased

Average atmospheric CO2 concentrations have __________ over the past 100 years.

Water vapor

Atmospheric concentrations of this gas can vary significantly depending on time and location.

Conduction

The transfer of heat from molecule to molecule within a substance.

Advection

The horizontal transfer of any atmospheric property by wind.

Radiant energy (radiation)

Energy propagated in the form of electromagnetic waves.

Mean (average) annual temperature

The average temperature of any station for the entire year.

Daily (diurnal) range of temperature

The difference between the daily maximum and minimum temperature.

Relative humidity

The heat index is a combination of air temperature and __________.

Frozen dew

___ occurs when dew freezes.

Nimbostratus

The cloud type when the sky is overcast and it is raining.

Condensation nuclei

Particles that serve as surfaces on which water vapor may condense.

Radiation

On a clear, calm night, the ground and air above cool by this main process.

Clouds absorb outgoing infrared energy

Cold and cloudy nights are warmer than cold and clear nights because __________.

Both length of daylight hours and the angle sunlight strikes Earth's surface

Seasons on Earth are regulated by __________.

Layer

When naming clouds, the term 'stratus' or 'strato' means __________ clouds.

Heating degree day

This term is used during cold weather to describe the estimate of energy needed to cool indoor air.

2-4 hours after maximum solar heating

Maximum air temperature in a day usually occurs __________.

Radiation

The type of fog produced over land when radiational cooling reduces air temperature to or below dew point.

Hamburger bun shaped

Falling raindrops are shaped like this to maximize air resistance.

Adiabatic process

A parcel of air expands and cools, or compresses and warms, with no interchange of heat with its surroundings.

10

A parcel rises and cools by __________ degrees Celsius per 1000m if it is unsaturated.

By surface heating

Convective clouds form __________.

Sleet

A raindrop that freezes before reaching the ground is called __________.

Cumulonimbus

This cloud type would most likely form in an unstable atmosphere.

Increase

If the Earth's gravitational force were to increase, atmospheric pressure at the ground would __________.

From higher pressure toward lower pressure

The pressure gradient force is directed __________.

Counterclockwise flow

Anticyclonic flow means __________ in either the Northern Hemisphere.

Coriolis

The force that is an apparent force created by Earth's rotation.

Converges; diverges

The surface air around a strengthening low pressure area normally __________, while above the system the air normally __________.

Orographic

The phrase 'rain shadow' is associated with this type of precipitation.

Absolutely unstable environment

An atmospheric condition that exists when the environmental lapse rate is greater than the dry adiabatic rate.