test

What seasonal factors influence the position of the polar jet stream over North America?

Temperature differences between the equator and poles cause shifts in the jet stream; southward in winter and northward in summer.

How does the movement of the jet stream impact weather patterns in the mid-latitudes?

The jet stream guides storm systems and influences temperature patterns, bringing colder air south or warmer air north.

In what ways do jet streams affect the development and path of storm systems?

Jet streams enhance storm strength through upper-level divergence and determine the track of low-pressure systems and fronts.

Compare and contrast continental polar (cP) and maritime tropical (mT) air masses.

cP: Cold, dry air from inland Canada/Alaska; mT: Warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico/tropical oceans.

Describe the sequence of weather changes as a cold front passes.

Before: Warm temps, increasing clouds; During: Sudden temp drop, thunderstorms/rain; After: Cooler, clearer skies.

What are the differences between stationary, occluded, and warm fronts?

Stationary: Air masses stall; warm: warm air rises slowly; occluded: cold air overtakes warm, leading to varied weather.

How does uneven heating of Earth contribute to global wind belts?

The equator receives more solar energy than the poles, leading to pressure differences that create Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells.

How does the Coriolis Effect influence wind direction?

Deflects winds right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere, creating curved patterns.

What role do Westerlies play in U.S. weather?

Westerlies blow from west to east, moving weather systems across the U.S., particularly in mid-latitudes.

What does a barometer measure and why is it important?

Measures air pressure; falling pressure indicates storms, while rising pressure indicates fair weather.

How do isobars help predict wind and pressure systems?

Close isobars indicate strong winds, while widely spaced means light winds. High pressure indicates fair weather, low pressure suggests storms.

What instrument measures humidity and how does it work?

A hygrometer or psychrometer, with the psychrometer using wet and dry bulb temperatures to calculate relative humidity.

How can ice core samples interpret past climate?

Trapped air bubbles reveal greenhouse gas levels and temperature trends over thousands of years.

What is the key difference between weather and climate?

Weather: short-term, variable; Climate: long-term, average patterns.

What atmospheric conditions are associated with high-pressure systems?

Cool, dry, sinking air leading to clear skies and calm weather.

How does falling air pressure signal potential weather changes?

It often indicates that a low-pressure system is approaching, suggesting clouds, wind, and precipitation.

Which greenhouse gas contributes the most and why?

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) due to its abundance and long-lasting effects from fossil fuel burning.

Describe the greenhouse effect.

Greenhouse gases trap heat from Earth's surface, warming the atmosphere and affecting the planet's energy balance.

What human activities contribute most to greenhouse gas emissions?

Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture, and industrial processes.

How is acid rain formed and what are the main pollutants?

Formed when sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) combine with water, creating sulfuric and nitric acid.

What are the environmental consequences of acid rain?

Damages plants, acidifies lakes, erodes buildings, and harms soil quality and aquatic life.

How is relative humidity calculated using dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures?

By using the difference between dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures on a psychrometric chart.

What happens when relative humidity reaches 100%?

The air becomes fully saturated, leading to condensation and the formation of clouds, dew, or precipitation.

Identify precipitation zones on a front map.

Precipitation occurs ahead of warm fronts (steady rain) and along cold fronts (thunderstorms).

Interpret a weather station model.

It shows temperature, wind direction/speed, cloud cover, dew point, pressure trends, and precipitation types.