Atmospheric Processes and Small-Scale Climates

Flashcards based on lecture notes about atmospheric processes and small-scale climates.

Atmospheric Stability

Related to lapse rates and vertical motion, influencing weather phenomena and local climate.

Microclimate

Small-scale climate variations affected by local factors, impacting species habitats and ecological processes.

Temperature Inversion

A reversal of the normal behavior of temperature in the troposphere, in which a layer of cool air is trapped under a layer of warmer air.

Smog

A type of intense air pollution. The word "smog" is a portmanteau of the words smoke and fog.

Coastal Effects

How water bodies influence local climate due to their high specific heat capacity and mixing properties.

Topography and Radiation

The influence of land surface shape and solar radiation on microclimates.

Urban Heat Island Effect

The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas.

Humidity

The absolute amount of water vapor in the air.

Saturation Point

The limit to how much water air can hold as vapor; warm air holds more moisture than cold air.

Relative Humidity

The percent saturation of air with water vapor (100% = saturated).

Lapse Rate

The lowering of temperature upwards in the atmosphere.

Environmental Lapse Rate (ELR)

The rate of temperature fall with altitude, averaging 6.4°C per 1000m, but variable.

Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR)

The rate at which dry air cools as it rises: ~10°C per 1000 m.

Saturated Adiabatic Lapse Rate (SALR)

The rate at which saturated air cools as it rises: ~6°C per 1000 m.

Adiabatic

Without energy loss (used in reference to lapse rates).

Latent Heat

Heat released when water vapor condenses to liquid water, warming the air parcel.

Condensation Nuclei

Tiny particles (salt, soot, dust) required for water vapor to condense into droplets.

Atmospheric Stability

The condition where the ELR determines if rising air parcels will continue to rise (unstable) or not (stable).

Conditional Instability

When the ELR is between the DALR and SALR; dry parcels won't rise, but saturated parcels will.

Temperature Inversion

A warm layer higher up prevents warm air at the surface from rising.

Cold Air Drainage

The phenomenon where cold, dense air flows downhill, leading to frost pockets and fog.

Land and Sea Breezes

Diurnal wind patterns caused by temperature differences between land and sea.

Katabatic Winds

Topographically-driven winds where dense air moves under gravity, strongest in coastal Antarctica.

Radiation Exposure

The amount of solar radiation received based on slope, aspect, and micro-topography.

Shelter Belts

Lines of trees used to reduce wind speed and protect sensitive vegetation.

Venturi Effect

The increase in wind speed as flow is funnelled into narrow passages between buildings.

Urban Heat Island Effect

Built-up areas are warmer than surrounding rural areas.