Weather and Climate Flashcards

Flashcards about weather patterns, cloud formations, and climate factors

Cumulus Clouds

Fluffy, white clouds with a flat base; usually indicate fair weather but can grow into storm clouds.

Cirrus Clouds

Wispy, feathery clouds high in the sky; often signal that a change in weather is coming.

Stratus Clouds

Gray, blanket-like clouds that cover the sky; often bring light rain or drizzle.

Nimbus Clouds

Dark, thick clouds; produce continuous, steady precipitation (rain or snow).

High Pressure (H)

Usually brings clear, sunny, and dry weather.

Low Pressure (L)

Often brings clouds, rain, and sometimes storms.

Cold Front

Brings thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow followed by cooler temperatures (blue line with triangles).

Warm Front

Brings steady rain or snow followed by warmer, milder temperatures (red line with semicircles).

Front

A boundary between two different air masses.

Cold Front Movement

Cold air moves in and pushes warm air up quickly, often causing thunderstorms or intense weather.

Warm Front Movement

Warm air moves over cold air gradually, causing light rain or snow followed by warmer temperatures.

Maritime Tropical (mT)

Warm and humid air from over oceans.

Continental Polar (cP)

Cold and dry air from over land.

Barometer

A tool that measures air pressure.

Falling Pressure

Often signals stormy or bad weather approaching.

Humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air.

Dew Point

The temperature at which air becomes saturated and dew forms.

Evaporation

The process of liquid water turning into water vapor (gas).

Condensation

Water vapor cools and turns back into liquid droplets (forms clouds).

Precipitation

Water falling to the ground as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Transpiration

The release of water vapor from plants into the atmosphere.

Latitude and Climate

Places closer to the equator are warmer; closer to the poles are colder.

Elevation and Temperature

Higher elevations have cooler temperatures.

Ocean Currents

Warm currents warm coastal areas; cold currents cool them.

Proximity to Water

Water moderates temperature, making coastal areas cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Mountains and Rainfall

Mountains block moisture; the windward side gets rain, the leeward side is dry (rain shadow effect).

Human Activities

Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and pollution contribute to climate change and warming.

Milankovitch Cycles

Changes in Earth's orbit and tilt affect long-term climate patterns like ice ages.

Jet Streams

Fast-moving rivers of air high in the atmosphere that influence weather patterns and the movement of storms.

Global Winds

Caused by the uneven heating of Earth's surface and the rotation of Earth (Coriolis Effect).

Winds and Air Masses

Winds move air masses, bringing their temperature and humidity characteristics to new areas.