Weather Systems Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering atmospheric lifting mechanisms, air masses, weather fronts, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and tornadoes.

Convectional Lifting

An atmospheric lifting mechanism where air rises due to heating from the surface.

Orographic Lifting

An atmospheric lifting mechanism where air is forced to rise over mountains or other topographic barriers.

Cyclonic (Convergence) Lifting

An atmospheric lifting mechanism involving low pressure where air masses converge and are forced upward.

Cyclonic (Frontal) Lifting

An atmospheric lifting mechanism involving the interaction of cold and warm air at a front, causing warm air to rise over cold air.

Air Mass

A large, uniform, and distinct body of air with similar characteristics throughout in terms of temperature and moisture, generally associated with high pressure.

cP (Continental Polar) Air Mass

A cold-dry air mass found in North America.

mP (Maritime Polar) Air Mass

A cool-wet air mass found in North America.

mT (Maritime Tropical) Air Mass

A warm-wet air mass found in North America.

cT (Continental Tropical) Air Mass

A hot-dry air mass found in North America.

Cold Front

A weather front characterized by a steep frontal slope, vertically developed (cumuloform) clouds, rapidly rising air, and intense, brief precipitation.

Warm Front

A weather front characterized by a shallow frontal slope, shallow cloud development (stratiform) clouds, gently rising air, and light, long-lasting precipitation.

Hurricanes

Extreme weather systems born 5-15 degrees N or S of the Equator, 90-600 miles in diameter, with winds > 74 MPH, fueled by hot water and the latent heat of condensation.

Eye (of a hurricane)

The calm, variable-sized center of a hurricane.

Eye Wall (of a hurricane)

The region of a hurricane with maximum winds.

Storm Surge

An abnormal rise of water generated by a hurricane's winds and pressure, resulting in coastal flooding and damage.

Coriolis Effect

A necessary factor for hurricane formation, requiring a distance of 8 to 10 degrees N/S from the Equator.

Wind Shear

Significant changes in wind speed or direction with height; if present, it can prevent hurricane formation or cause dissipation.

Latent Heat Release

The energy released during condensation that fuels the intensification and convection of hurricanes.

Convective Thunderstorms

Storms that form in unstable atmospheric conditions due to convective lifting, requiring a source of moisture and powered by latent heat of condensation.

Cumulus Stage (of thunderstorm)

The initial stage of a convective thunderstorm, characterized by updrafts and cloud growth.

Mature Stage (of thunderstorm)

The middle stage of a convective thunderstorm, characterized by both updrafts and downdrafts, and precipitation.

Dissipating Stage (of thunderstorm)

The final stage of a convective thunderstorm, characterized by weakening downdrafts and decreasing precipitation.

Tornadoes

The most violent storms on Earth, characterized by an extreme low-pressure cell, winds from 65-318+ MPH, and a dark color due to water vapor and debris.

Extreme Low Pressure Cell

A distinguishing characteristic of a tornado, contributing to its violent winds.

Supercell Tornadic Storm

A type of severe thunderstorm, often associated with strong cold fronts, that is a common producer of tornadoes.

Squall Lines

Lines of thunderstorms, which can be locations where tornadoes occur.