Geog205: Meteorology Exam Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to meteorology, specifically focusing on winds, atmospheric pressure, cloud development, precipitation processes, and local winds as outlined in the lecture notes.

Coriolis Force

An apparent force acting on a mass moving in a rotating system, causing deflection to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Friction

A force that reduces wind speed and affects the Coriolis effect.

Geostrophic Winds

Winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere resulting from a balance between pressure gradient force (PGF) and Coriolis force (CF).

Divergence and Convergence

Refer to the upward and downward vertical motion of air; divergence leads to rising air in cyclones, while convergence leads to sinking air in anticyclones.

Global Winds

Winds that are created by the unequal heating of the Earth's surface and characterized by different pressure systems, such as the Trade Winds and westerlies.

Jet Streams

High-speed air currents found in the atmosphere that occur near the top of the troposphere, including polar and subtropical jet streams.

El Niño Southern Oscillation

A periodic climate phenomenon characterized by weakened trade winds and a shift of warm surface water in the eastern tropical Pacific.

Monsoon

A seasonal wind shift, notably in Asia, characterized by distinct wet and dry periods between summer and winter.

Adiabatic Process

A process in which a change in temperature occurs without heat transfer with the surrounding environment.

Lapse Rates

Rates of temperature decrease with altitude; includes dry adiabatic lapse rate (10 °C/km), wet adiabatic lapse rate (6 °C/km), and environmental lapse rate (varies, around 6.5 °C/km).

Atmospheric Stability

Describes the tendency of air parcels to rise or sink based on their temperature relative to the surrounding atmosphere.

Precipitation Types

Various forms of precipitation including snow, rain, sleet, and freezing rain, each determined by weather conditions and temperature profiles.

Pressure Gradient Force

The force that causes air to move from high pressure to low pressure, determining wind speed.