Weather and Meteorology: Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering weather-related concepts from the provided notes.

air mass

A large body of air that has the same temperature and level of humidity throughout, producing changes in the weather.

air pressure

The weight or density of air measured with a barometer.

altitude

Height above sea level.

climate

The average of all weather conditions across seasons over a period of time.

cloud

A large collection of tiny droplets of water or ice crystals (types include cirrus, cumulonimbus, cumulus, and stratus).

cold front

The boundary where a cold air mass meets warmer air and displaces it; often brings heavy rain, thunderstorms, and sometimes snow.

condensation

The process by which water vapor turns into liquid water droplets.

conduction

The direct transfer of heat between objects that touch.

convection

The transfer of heat by the movement or mixing of a liquid or a gas.

energy

The ability to cause changes in matter; types include thermal, electrical, kinetic, and potential energy.

evaporation

The change from liquid water to water vapor, occurring as the sun heats the water.

front

A boundary between two different air masses, often resulting in stormy weather; typically a line separating warm and cold air masses.

humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air.

jet stream

A strong high‑level wind that can exceed 200 mph, about 6–9 miles above the ground; it steers weather systems.

precipitation

Any form of water that falls to Earth, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

prevailing winds

Global winds that blow constantly from one direction, driven by uneven heating of Earth's atmosphere and rotation.

radiation

The transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves.

run-off

Water from a rainstorm or melted snow that moves from higher to lower ground, seeping through rock and soil and forming small streams.

warm front

A boundary where a warm air mass moves over a cold air mass, bringing rainy or drizzly weather followed by warmer, clearer weather.

water cycle

The continuous movement of water among the air, land, and ocean.

weather

The state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.

weather phenomenon

A weather event that can be explained by meteorology (e.g., rain, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, rainbows, thunderstorms).

weather tools

Instruments used to measure weather conditions (examples: barometer, thermometer, rain gauge, anemometer, and more).

wind

The movement, direction, and speed of air caused by differences in air pressure (examples: easterlies and westerlies).