Climate and Atmospheric Science

A collection of 100 flashcards covering key concepts related to climate and atmospheric science.

Water Vapour

The most abundant greenhouse gas but not the primary driver of Earth’s current warming.

Temperature Gradient

Rate of temperature change over a certain distance, generally low in tropical regions.

Jet Streams

High-velocity geostrophic winds in the upper troposphere, flowing nearly straight when temperature contrast is maximum.

Ocean Mean Temperature (OMT)

More stable monsoon predictor than Sea Surface Temperature (SST).

Geostrophic Winds

Winds that occur when pressure gradient force is balanced by the Coriolis force, blowing parallel to isobars.

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Region that impacts weather patterns such as the formation of the Hadley Cell and seasonal rainfall.

Tropical Cyclones

Storms that derive energy from latent heat released during condensation of water vapor.

Insolation

The amount of solar radiation received at the top of Earth’s atmosphere.

Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)

Climate pattern characterized by high sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Dust Particles

Particles that enhance the Earth’s albedo, reflecting sunlight.

Extra-Tropical Cyclones

Cyclones with a well-defined frontal system.

Atmospheric Refraction

The bending of sunlight as it passes through Earth's atmosphere.

Natal Climate

Climate type receiving rainfall from onshore trade winds year-round in both hemispheres.

Temperature and Elevation Relationship

Higher elevations generally experience lower temperatures compared to sea level.

Western Disturbances

Cyclonic circulations in the troposphere that induce low-pressure systems and support crop production.

Cool Temperate Eastern Margin Climate

Climate not primarily found along eastern coasts of Africa and Australia.

Cyclones in Bay of Bengal

Typhoons may enter, re-intensifying due to favorable trough-like conditions.

Ocean Evaporation

Evaporation that is suppressed by high salinity in ocean waters.

Siberian Climate Region

The only climate region that receives rainfall throughout the year.

Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)

Climate phenomenon involving temperature differences between Indonesia and the Arabian Sea.

Anabatic Winds

Winds caused by pressure-driven convection that occur during the day.

Katabatic Winds

Winds controlled by temperature and elevation differences, stronger at night.

Advection

The process important for the formation and behavior of local wind systems.

Vertical Winds

Weak atmospheric winds compared to horizontal winds, balanced by gravity's downward pull.

Cloud Types and Surface Temperature

Different cloud types impact surface temperature differently.

Volcanic Eruptions

Can act as natural fertilizers for oceans due to nutrient-rich ash.

Cold Fronts

Defined by the appearance of cirrus clouds followed by altocumulus clouds.

Mackerel Sky

Produced by cirrocumulus clouds, creates a visual effect resembling mackerel scales.

Mares’ Tail

High-altitude cirrus clouds that resemble the tail of a horse.

Hot Deserts

Typically found along western parts of continents within 15 to 30° latitude.

Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)

Equatorial pattern of tropical rainfall that travels eastward, with cycles of 30-60 days.

Biome Productivity Order

Tundra < Temperate Grassland < Taiga < Savanna < Temperate Forest < Tropical Rainforest.

Cloud Characteristics

Different types of clouds vary in composition and formation processes.

Local Winds

Pampero and Simoom are examples of local winds in different regions.

Tundra Biome

Treeless biome due to low temperatures and permafrost, with slow decomposition.

Mediterranean Climate

Net exporter of citrus fruits but net importer of dairy.

Subtropical Jet Stream

Significant for initiating the Indian summer monsoon.

Meteorological Drought

Precipitation deficiency compared to long-period averages.

Adiabatic Lapse Rate

Rate at which rising air cools without heat exchange.

Ozone Depletion

Intensified over Antarctica during polar winter.

Absolute Humidity

Measure of water vapor contained in a given volume of air.

Cloudbursts

Intense rainfall events associated with cumulonimbus clouds.

Cloud Seeding

Technique used to enhance precipitation through cloud manipulation.

Albedo Order

Ranking of reflective properties of different surfaces.

El-Niño Modoki

Anomalous climate pattern affecting cyclone frequency in the Arabian Sea.

Local Winds in India

Norwesters and Elephanta winds influence Indian agriculture.

Humid Continental Climate

Characterized by severe winter and no dry season.

Tropical Wet and Dry Climate

Defined by a winter dry season.

Roaring Forties

Stronger winds in the Southern Hemisphere due to vast oceans.

Heat Domes

Associated with high-pressure systems, leading to stationary weather patterns.

Rossby Waves

Waves formed by Earth's rotation affecting climate dynamics.

Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs)

Ionospheric phenomena that disrupt high-frequency radio waves.

Thermosphere

Layer of the atmosphere with the highest recorded temperatures.

Hadley Cell

Atmospheric circulation pattern prevalent in the tropics.

Coriolis Force

Effect that causes moving air and water to turn and twist.

Latent Heat

The heat absorbed or released during phase changes of water.

Permafrost

Ground that remains completely frozen for two or more years.

Tropical Rainforest

Biome with the highest biodiversity and consistent rainfall.

Ocean Currents

Continuous, directed movements of seawater driven by various factors.

Humidity

The amount of water vapor present in the air.

Isotherms

Lines on a map connecting points of equal temperature.

Frontal System

Boundary separating two masses of air with different densities.

Rabi Crop Production

Cultivation of winter crops in North India, supported by Western Disturbances.

High Latitude

Regions close to the poles with unique climate characteristics.

Dry Climates

Areas that receive insufficient moisture for supporting vegetation.

Latitudinal Temperature Gradient

Variation of temperature with latitude.

Cyclone Formation

Process involving warm ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions.

Sediment Transport

Movement of solid particles due to fluid flow.

Convection Current

Movement of fluid caused by differences in temperature and density.

Climatology

Study of climate, including trends and variations.

Atmospheric Layers

Various layers of the atmosphere, each with distinct characteristics.

Solar Irradiance

Power per unit area received from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

Seasonal Variation

Changes in weather patterns and climate throughout the year.

Microclimates

Localized climate variations that differ from the surrounding areas.