Weather and You: Forces and Wind

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to weather forces and wind as discussed in the lecture.

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

The force that causes air to move from high pressure to low pressure.

Isobars

Lines on a map that connect points of equal atmospheric pressure.

Coriolis Force

The apparent deflection of moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere due to Earth's rotation.

Air Pressure

The force exerted by the weight of air above a given point, usually measured in millibars or inches of mercury.

Wind Speed

The rate at which air moves from high pressure to low pressure; determined by the difference in pressure over a distance.

Sea Breeze

A local wind that occurs when the land heats up faster than the sea, causing rising air over land and a cooler breeze from the sea.

Land Breeze

A nighttime wind that flows from land to water, occurring when land cools faster than water.

Friction

The force that slows down wind, especially over surfaces with obstacles like forests or buildings.

High Pressure

An area where the atmospheric pressure is greater than surrounding areas, generally associated with clear, calm weather.

Low Pressure

An area where the atmospheric pressure is lower than surrounding areas, often associated with stormy weather.