weather & climate exam 2

Dry adiabatic lapse rate

The rate at which an unsaturated air parcel cools as it ascends, approximately 5.5º F per 1000 feet.

Wet adiabatic lapse rate

The rate at which a saturated air parcel cools as it ascends, approximately 3.2º F per 1000 feet.

Rainshadow effect

A phenomenon in which an area on the leeward side of a mountain experiences significantly less precipitation due to descending, warming air.

Isobar

A line connecting points of equal air pressure.

Atmospheric pressure at sea level

Standard value of approximately 1013.25 millibars.

Coriolis force

A force caused by Earth's rotation that affects the direction of winds and ocean currents.

Horse Latitudes

Regions located at approximately 30 degrees latitude characterized by low wind and stable weather.

Air pressure gradient

The difference in air pressure between two areas that causes wind to flow from high to low pressure.

Coriolis effect

The deflection of moving objects, including air, due to Earth's rotation.

Katabatic winds

Cold winds that flow down from elevated terrains downhill, often occurring at night.

Chinook winds

Warm, dry winds that descend the leeward side of mountains, often causing rapid warming.

Broadcast Meteorology

The field of meteorology focused on presenting weather information to the public through various media.

Undergraduate Degree

A degree in Meteorology or a related Atmospheric Science field required for becoming a broadcast meteorologist.

Summer Internship

Hands-on experience at a TV station that helps aspiring meteorologists gain contacts in the field.

Mega Doppler Radar

The most powerful radar in SE Texas, used to detect precipitation intensity and particle velocities.

Chroma Key

A technique that uses a green screen to allow meteorologists to display weather data behind them during broadcasts.

AccuWeather Planner

A forecast tool that provides viewers with detailed weather forecasts for different times of the day.

Networking Sites

Platforms like Facebook and Twitter that broadcast meteorologists maintain for audience engagement.

Severe Weather Desk

A dedicated workstation for monitoring dangerous weather conditions using advanced radar technology.

Eyewitness Weather

The branding used by ABC-13 Houston for its weather forecasting segment.

Tim Heller

The Chief Meteorologist at ABC-13 Houston, known for his work in broadcast meteorology.

Hadley Cells

Atmospheric circulation cells that exist between the equator and about 30° latitude, driving trade winds.

ITCZ (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone)

A region near the equator where the northeast and southeast trade winds converge, characterized by low pressure and rain.

Subtropical High Pressure Belt

A belt of high pressure located around 30° latitude characterized by dry air and desert conditions.

Doldrums

A region near the equator where winds are light and variable, often leading to calm conditions.

Westerlies

Wind systems that blow from the west in the mid-latitudes (30°-60°), causing varied weather conditions.

Polar High Pressure Belt

A region of high pressure at the poles characterized by very cold, dry air.

Trade Winds

Steady winds that blow from east to west between the equator and the subtropics.

Equatorial Low Pressure Belt

The area around the equator with rising air, warm temperatures, and moist conditions.

Monsoon

Seasonal prevailing wind patterns that cause wet and dry periods, especially in South Asia.

Polar Front

The transition zone between cold polar air and warmer air from the mid-latitudes, often associated with storm development.

Subpolar Low Pressure Belt

A belt of low pressure around 60° latitude where warm, moist air meets cold polar air.

Atmospheric Pressure

The force exerted against a surface by the atmosphere, caused by the weight of air.

Barometer

An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Typhoon Tip

The strongest hurricane on record, reaching a minimum pressure of 870 millibars.

Pressure Gradient Force

The force that causes air to move from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.

Centripetal Force

A center-seeking force that directs wind in a curved path.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving air caused by the rotation of the Earth.

Hadley Cells

Large scale patterns of atmospheric circulation that lead to trade winds and affect climate.

Global Winds

Winds that are affected by the uneven distribution of solar energy across the Earth's surface.

Variations in Pressure

Changes in air pressure that can occur both vertically and horizontally.

Siberian Winter of 1968

Event noted for the highest recorded atmospheric pressure of 1084 millibars.