final final

Adiabatic cooling

The cooling of air due to expansion

Orographic lifting

Air is lifted by mountains

Convergence

The air is rising

Surface heating

Causes lighter air to rise

Dewpoint

When the air is Saturated.

Organic lifting / dry adiabatic lift rate

Dry adiabatic lift rate = 10°C/ 1000 m

Orographic lifting/ wet adiabatic lift rate

Wet adiabatic lift rate = 5°C /1000m

Air pressure

The weight of air on a given area

Aneroid barometer

Most common tool to measure air pressure

Mercury barometer

Uses mercury to measure air pressure

Normal air pressure

At sea level = 1013 Mb

Pressure change with altitude

Pressure decreases with altitude

Highs

Pressure increases towards the center/ clockwise direction/the air diverges in the center/clear dry weather

Lows

Pressure decreases in the center / counter clockwise/ air converges at surface/ clouds and rain

Wind

Movement of air from high to low pressure

Pressure gradient

Closer ring stronger winds

Coriolis effect

All moving objects in the northern hemisphere curve right

Measure wind/ anemometer

Measure wind speed

Measure wind /wind vane

Measure wind direction

Air masses

Large volume of air having uniform temp

Source region

Where air masses form

Mt

maritime tropical

Mp

Maritime polar

Ct

Continental tropical

Cp

Continental polar

CA

Continental artic

Hurricane

A tropical cyclone with sustained winds over 74 mph.

Latent Heat

Energy released during water vapor condensation, powering hurricanes.

Saffir-Simpson Scale

A scale that categorizes hurricanes based on wind speed.

Category 5 Hurricane

A hurricane with wind speeds of 155 mph or higher.

Storm Surge

A dome of water pushed ashore by wind, typically 40-50 miles in diameter.

Mean

The average value of a set of numbers.

Climate

The long-term weather conditions in a specific area.

Latitude

A constant factor in climate, affecting temperature based on position from the equator.

Altitude

The height above sea level; affects climate, with higher altitudes being colder.

Prevailing Winds

Winds that affect climate depending on their direction.

Ocean Currents

Movements of ocean water that can warm or cool a region.

Köppen Climate Classification

A system to classify climates based on various factors.

Tropical Rainy Climate

A climate type found in regions like Costa Rica.

Moist, Mild Winter Climate

A climate type found in regions like Coastal California and Atlanta.

Pressure Systems

Highs and lows in the atmosphere that influence weather patterns.

Wind Shear

A factor that contributes to hurricane decay.

Revolution

The orbiting of Earth around the sun.

Perihelion

The point where Earth is closest to the sun, occurring on January 4th.

Aphelion

The point where Earth is farthest from the sun, occurring on July 4th.

Summer Solstice

Occurs on June 21st when the sun is at 23.5° N.

Winter Solstice

Occurs on December 21st when the sun is at 23.5° S.

Equinoxes

Occur on March 21st and September 22nd when the sun is at 0° equator.

Rotation

The spinning of Earth on its axis, which causes day and night.

Causes of Seasons

Tilt of the axis, revolution around the sun, and parallelism.

Conduction

Transfer of energy through solids when molecules collide.

Convection

Transfer of energy in liquids and gases where less dense material rises.

Radiation

Transfer of energy through a vacuum.

Global Warming

Increase in Earth's average temperature due to human and natural causes.

Main causes of Global Warming

Pollution from human activities and natural events.

Dangers of Global Warming

Rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, droughts, and extinction of species.

Temperature

Measure of the motion of molecules.

Temperature Scales

Kelvin (K) used by scientists, Celsius (C) used outside the U.S., Fahrenheit (F) used in the U.S.

Causes of Temperature Differences

Latitude, altitude, oceans, and mountain ranges.

Air Mass

A large volume of air having unified temperature and moisture.

Types of Air Masses

MT (Maritime Tropical), MP (Maritime Polar), CT (Continental Tropical), CP (Continental Polar), E (Equatorial), A (Arctic).

Areas of Origin of Air Masses

MT from the Gulf, CP from Canada, MP from the North.

Weather Systems

Highs and lows influence weather patterns.

High Pressure System

Associated with clockwise movement and clear, dry weather.

Low Pressure System

Associated with counterclockwise movement and precipitation.

Fronts

Boundaries between different air masses.

Station Models

Used to read and analyze weather data.

Violent Weather

Includes thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Climate

The average weather conditions over extended periods of time.

Koppen System

Classification system to identify climates.