Module 10 (Oceans and Thunderstorms)

What is a jet stream? What are the 2 jet streams?

Narrow bands of fast flowing winds are called jet streams

Polar jet stream, and subtropical het stream,,

What causes surface ocean currents to form?

wind and earths rotation

What is another reason that surface ocean water off the California coast is cold, in addition to the California Current?

Because of the cold polar currents, southwards from alaska towards ca along west coast

What is an El Niño Southern Oscillation?

trade winds weaken, and equatorial counter currents strengthen

allows warm waters to form over easter equatorial pacific and along coast of peru

Brings rain and wet weather to peru and high pressure heat waves to east asia and australia

Explain Neutral conditions, El Nino and La Nina with respect to winds and water temperatures.

• Trade winds blow from east to west, carrying warm water towards the western Pacific. 

• Sea surface temperatures are generally near normal, with cooler waters in the east and warmer waters in the west.

How do El Niño and La Niña events affect winter weather over the Continental USA?

wetter weather in south USA during el nino

la nina wetter in north west

What is a Thunderstorm? What are the 2 types of Thunderstorms?

Warm moist air rises cools condenses into rain, and ordinary severe types

What are the difference between Ordinary and Severe Thunderstorms?

Ordinary last 15 to an hour, some rain thunder and lightining

severe: last longer and more secere hail, higher winds tornadoes

What is a Multi cell complex?

moderate to strong wind shear, different ths at different stages,

What is a Super cell?

forms from very strong windshear, rotating updraft, , mesocyclone, large hail,