ATMO EXAM 3

Air Mass

A large body of air with similar characteristics, such as temperature and humidity.

cP

Continental Polar air mass, characterized as cold, dry, and stable.

mT

Maritime Tropical air mass, characterized as warm, moist, and unstable, often leading to thunderstorms.

Front

The boundary between different air masses.

Cold Front

A front where a cold air mass is replacing a warm air mass, often leading to thunderstorms.

Warm Front

A front where a warm air mass is replacing a cooler air mass, often associated with prolonged precipitation.

Occluded Front

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

Downdraft

The downward movement of cooler, denser air within a thunderstorm.

Supercell

A highly organized thunderstorm characterized by a rotating updraft (mesocyclone) capable of producing severe weather.

Tornado

A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground, typically associated with severe thunderstorms.

Enhanced Fujita scale

A scale used to classify tornadoes based on the damage they cause.

Moist Adiabatic Lapse Rate

The rate at which a saturated air parcel cools as it rises, approximately $6 \text{°C/km}$.

Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate

The rate at which a non-saturated air parcel cools as it rises, approximately $10 \text{°C/km}$.

Convergence

The process that occurs when winds from different directions come together, leading to rising air and increased surface pressure.

Divergence

The process that occurs when winds move away from each other, resulting in sinking air and decreased surface pressure.

Vertical Wind Shear

The change in wind speed and direction with height, crucial for the development of severe thunderstorms.

Mesocyclone

A rotating updraft within supercell thunderstorms that can lead to tornado formation.