Moisture, Cloud Formation, and Precipitation

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on concepts of moisture, cloud formation, and precipitation from the lecture notes.

Water Vapor

The gaseous phase of water (H2O) that is present in the atmosphere.

Relative Humidity

The measure of the current amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage.

Dewpoint Temperature

The temperature to which air must be cooled to become saturated with water vapor, leading to condensation.

Latent Heat

The energy absorbed or released during a change of state, such as evaporation or condensation, without changing temperature.

Condensation Nuclei (CCN)

Tiny solid particles in the atmosphere that facilitate the condensation of water vapor into cloud droplets.

Supercooled Water

Liquid water droplets that exist at temperatures below 0°C without freezing.

Dew and Frost

Dew is formed when water vapor condenses on surfaces at temperatures above freezing; frost forms when water vapor sublimates directly into ice crystals at temperatures below freezing.

Hydrometeor

Any atmospheric particle that can fall as precipitation, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Dewpoint Depression (DD)

The difference between the air temperature and the dewpoint temperature, indicating how close the air is to saturation.

Precipitation

Any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from clouds and reaches the ground.