Meterology

weather

the state of air and atmosphere at a particular time

atmosphere

a mixture of gases that surrounds earth

nitrogen: __% of gas

79

oxygen: __% of gas

20

6 variable gases

water vapor, carbon dioxide, pollutants, pollen, dust, ash

the atmosphere ___ in density and pressure as you go up

decreases

___ of atmosphere’s mass is in this layer

75%

contains ozone layer

stratosphere

a thin layer of gas which shields uv rays

ozone

ozone formula

o³

coldest layer (can reach up to -90 C)

mesophere

meators burn up here

mesosphere

hardest layer to study

mesosphere

ISS orbits in this layer

thermosphere

hottest layer (can reach 1500 C)

thermosphere

ions

charged paticles

area of charged particles

ionosphere

northern and southern lights

aurora lights

satellites orbit here

exosphere

____ escape into space

gasses

In the exosphere air is extremly

thin

low-pressure systems are formed when ___ air ____

warm, rising

high pressure systems are formed when ___ air ___.

cold, sinks

weather found in low pressure systems

cloudy

weather found in high pressure sytems

sunny

wind names are based off where they

come from

wind

movement of air from high to low pressure zones

winds between 30º and 60º N and S

trade winds

winds between 60 o latitude and the poles. Winds move from east away from the poles

polar easterlies

winds between 30º and 60º N&S

prevailing westerlies

fast flowing narrow air

jet stream

local winds which form during the day when warm air blows from the ocean to land

sea breeze

local winds which form during the night when cool air blows from the land to the ocean

land breeze

local winds which form during the night when cool air blows from the mtn to valley

mtn breeze

local winds which form during the day when warm air blows from the valley to the mtn

valley breeze

cirrus

high altitude; fair weather

alto

middle altitude

cumulus

good weather

stratus

low; produce rain

nimbo

rain

Large bodies of air which sit in one place for a while and absorb the properties of the land beneath them. defined by moisture & temperature

air mass

Which types of clouds produce thunderstorms?

cumulonimbus

stages of thunderstorms

cumulus; mature; dissipating

a. Dominated by updrafts when warm air rises (circle one) b. Cloud rapidly grows taller (circle one) c. Water droplets become super-cooled at the top of the cloud

cumulus stage

mature stage

black, green, gray clouds

friction create lightning

heavy rain

dissipating stage

down drafts

light precipitation

strong wind