Weather, Climate, and Precipitation Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to weather, climate, precipitation, and associated phenomena.

Weather Modification Technique

A method used to increase precipitation or reduce hail by dispersing silver iodide particles into clouds.

Lightning

A discharge of electricity that occurs during a thunderstorm, typically resulting in a bright flash and thunder.

Hail

Frozen precipitation that falls in the form of balls or irregular lumps of ice.

Updrafts

Strong upward air currents that can induce charge separation within clouds.

Supercooled Cloud Droplets

Liquid droplets in a cloud that remain in a liquid state below the freezing point, requiring a solid surface to freeze.

Mesocyclone

A rotating updraft in a thunderstorm that can lead to tornado formation.

Funnel Cloud

A visible condensation cloud that descends from a thunderstorm but does not touch the ground, it becomes a tornado upon contact.

Tornado Alley

A region in the Great Plains of the United States where tornadoes are most common.

Hurricane Formation

The development of hurricanes typically involves warm water (80°F or higher), disturbances in trade winds, and specific atmospheric conditions.

Storm Surge

The abnormal rise in sea level caused by strong winds and low pressure during a hurricane.

Biomes

Major regional or global biotic communities characterized by specific vegetation types and climate conditions.

ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone)

A region near the equator where trade winds converge, creating a band of thunderstorms and high precipitation.

Climograph

A graphical representation of the average monthly temperatures and precipitation for a specific location.

Coriolis Effect

The apparent deflection of moving objects, such as air currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Easterly Wave

A pattern of tropical weather where easterly winds create disturbances that can develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.

Riparian Forests

Forests situated along riverbanks that are crucial for ecosystem diversity and stability.

Natural Disturbance Mechanisms

Processes such as fires or storms that disrupt ecosystems, influencing growth and diversity.

Xerophytes

Plants that are adapted to survive in dry environments by conserving water.

Boreal Forest (Taiga)

A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous trees, characterized by cold temperatures and short growing seasons.

Alpine Tundra

A cold biome located in mountainous regions, featuring low-growing plants due to harsh conditions.

EF (Ice Cap Climate)

A climate characterized by extremely low temperatures and continuous frozen conditions throughout the year.