Wind: Global Systems Chapter 7

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to wind systems, air circulation, and meteorological phenomena.

Average Air Flow

The typical movement of air in the atmosphere, which varies due to various factors.

General Air Circulation

The large-scale movement of air caused primarily by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

Hadley Cell

A thermally direct convection cell forming between the equator and 30° latitude.

Ferrell Cell

A secondary circulation cell located between 30° and 60° latitude.

Polar Cell

The circulation cell located from 60° latitude to the poles.

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

The force that drives the wind due to differences in atmospheric pressure.

ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)

The area near the equator where trade winds converge, leading to increased precipitation.

Polar High

High-pressure system located at the poles.

Subtropical Highs

High-pressure systems situated around 30° latitude.

NE Trade Winds

Northeasterly surface winds found in the tropics.

SE Trade Winds

Southeasterly surface winds found in the tropics.

Doldrums

The low-pressure area near the equator where trade winds converge.

Westerlies

The prevailing winds that blow from the west between 30° and 60° latitude.

Jet Streams

Fast-flowing air currents in the atmosphere, found at high altitudes.

Coriolis Force

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents.

El Niño

A climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

La Niña

A climate pattern characterized by cooler ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

Cyclogenesis

The process through which a cyclone develops.

Thunderstorm

A storm characterized by lightning, thunder, and typically heavy rainfall.

Air Mass

A large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity.

Cold Front

A front formed when a cold air mass pushes into a warmer air mass.

Warm Front

A front formed when a warm air mass slides over a cold air mass.

Occluded Front

A front formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front.

Stationary Front

A front that does not move significantly, leading to prolonged weather patterns.

Mid-Latitude Cyclone

A large weather system that typically brings precipitation and strong winds.

Dryline

The boundary between moist and dry air masses often resulting in severe weather.

Thunderstorm Development Ingredients

Moisture, instability, and lift are essential for thunderstorm formation.

Severe Weather Definition

Weather conditions such as hail, high winds, and tornadoes that exceed certain thresholds.

Tornado

A rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.

Charge Separation

The process that creates electrical charges in thunderstorms, leading to lightning.

Microburst

A localized column of sinking air within a thunderstorm that can produce damaging winds.

Cumulonimbus Cloud

A towering cloud associated with thunderstorms, characterized by vertical growth.

Lifting Condensation Level (LCL)

The height at which rising air becomes saturated and clouds begin to form.