Air Pressure and Wind

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to air pressure, wind, and severe weather phenomena as discussed in the lecture on atmospheric circulation and weather systems.

Monsoon

Seasonal winds that bring warm, moist air from the ocean onto continents during warm months, resulting in rainfall.

Mid-latitude cyclone

A low pressure system driven by temperature contrasts between polar and tropical air masses, moving eastward and bringing heavy precipitation.

Westerlies

Prevailing winds that flow from west to east across the mid-latitudes of both hemispheres.

Hadley cell

An atmospheric circulation cell located between the equator and approximately 30 degrees latitude, redistributing heat.

Coriolis force

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents, causing them to curve.

Local winds

Winds generated by local temperature differences, such as land and sea breezes.

Chinook winds

Warm, dry winds descending the eastern slopes of mountain ranges, leading to rapid snowmelt.

El Niño

A climate pattern characterized by warmer ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, affecting global weather.

La Niña

A climate pattern characterized by cooler ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, leading to varied weather effects.

Air mass

A large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity, which can affect local weather.

Stationary front

A boundary between two air masses that are not moving significantly, leading to prolonged weather such as rain.

Occluded front

A situation where a cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting warm air off the ground and leading to complex weather.

Supercell thunderstorm

A large, severe thunderstorm characterized by a rotating updraft, capable of producing tornadoes.

Fujita Scale

A scale for measuring tornado intensity based on damage caused.

Tornado watch

An alert indicating that conditions are favorable for tornado formation.

Tornado warning

An alert indicating that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.

Hurricane

A large, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that produces winds of 74 miles per hour or higher.

Eyewall

The ring of intense thunderstorms surrounding the eye of a hurricane, characterized by the highest wind speeds and heaviest rainfall.

Storm surge

A rise in sea level caused by a storm, leading to coastal flooding.

Lake effect snow

Snow produced when cold air crosses over unfrozen, warmer lake waters, picking up moisture and depositing it on the leeward shores.

Mid-latitude cyclone life cycle

The process through which mid-latitude cyclones develop, mature, occlude, and dissipate.

Saffir-Simpson scale

A classification system for hurricanes based on sustained wind speed and potential damage.