Specific Humidity: The mass of water vapor in a given mass of air. It varies with temperature and moisture content.
Relative Humidity: A percentage that compares the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature. When relative humidity reaches 100%, the air is saturated.
Water-Vapor Capacity: The amount of water vapor air can hold at a given temperature. Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air.
Specific Humidity: Measures the mass of water vapor in the air.
Relative Humidity: Measures how saturated the air is, comparing current moisture content with the maximum capacity of the air at a given temperature.
Stable Air: Air that resists vertical motion; clouds form only in certain conditions (usually in areas with cooler temperatures).
Unstable Air: Air that rises easily because it is warmer and less dense than the surrounding air, leading to more vertical development of clouds and storms.
Adiabatic Lapse Rate: The rate at which the temperature of an air parcel changes as it rises or sinks (the dry adiabatic lapse rate is 10°C per 1000m, while the saturated rate is slower).
Environmental Lapse Rate: The actual rate at which the temperature of the surrounding air decreases with altitude.
The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor and condensation begins to form. It’s a measure of how much moisture is in the air.
Rain Shadow Effect: Mountains block the movement of moist air, leading to a wet windward side and a dry leeward side.
Windward: The side of the mountain range that faces the wind, where air rises and cools, leading to precipitation.
Leeward: The opposite side where the air descends and warms, resulting in dry conditions.
The rain shadow effect is linked to the adiabatic lapse rates because air cools as it rises on the windward side and warms as it descends on the leeward side.
Includes rain, snow, sleet, hail, and drizzle. Different types form based on temperature, air pressure, and humidity.
Wettest: Areas around the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) and coastal regions, like tropical rainforests.
Driest: Deserts and areas in the rain shadow or far from moisture sources.
A prolonged period of below-average precipitation leading to water shortages.
Return Interval: The average period between events of a certain intensity (e.g., a 100-year flood means it has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year).
Use knowledge of climate factors like latitude, ocean currents, and atmospheric circulation to predict the climate of an Earth-like planet.
A, B, C, D, E Climate Types: These refer to the Köppen climate classification based on temperature, precipitation, and seasonality:
A: Tropical (hot and wet year-round)
B: Arid (desert or semi-desert)
C: Temperate (mild, with seasonal changes)
D: Continental (cold winters, warm summers)
E: Polar (cold all year)
Climate factors to understand include latitude, ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone), Hadley cell, polar high, and seasonality.
Maritime: Climates influenced by nearby oceans—milder winters and cooler summers.
Continental: More extreme temperature differences between summer and winter, due to distance from oceans.
Know the broad climate categories (A, B, C, D, E) and understand the general characteristics that define them.
For example, tropical climates (A) are near the equator, desert climates (B) are found in subtropical or continental interiors, and polar climates (E) are at high latitudes.
Tropical Rainforest: Found near the equator, affected by the ITCZ, warm temperatures, and high rainfall year-round.
Tropical Monsoon: Similar to rainforests but with a distinct dry season.
Tropical Savanna: Also near the equator, but with a distinct wet and dry season (ITCZ migration).
Found in areas around 30° latitude, influenced by the subtropical high, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Found on the southeastern sides of continents, influenced by warm ocean currents and latitude.
Characterized by low precipitation, extreme temperature ranges, and dry conditions. Found near 30° latitude (subtropical highs).
Polar climates are extremely cold year-round. Some are moderated by ocean currents (e.g., coastal areas).
The process by which certain gases (like CO₂) trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough to support life.
How rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and other factors are affecting the planet.
Proxy Data: Indirect evidence (e.g., tree rings, ice cores) used to infer past climate conditions.
Dendrochronology: The study of tree rings to understand past climates.
Positive Feedback: Processes that amplify climate change (e.g., melting ice reduces reflectivity, causing more warming).
Negative Feedback: Processes that counteract change (e.g., more clouds reflecting sunlight).
Biodiversity: The variety of life forms in an area.
Richness: The number of species in a given area.
Invasive Species: Non-native species that can harm ecosystems.
NPP (Net Primary Productivity): The rate at which plants produce useful energy for ecosystems. High in tropical rainforests, low in deserts.
Disturbance: Any event that disrupts an ecosystem (e.g., fire).
Succession: The process by which ecosystems change over time after a disturbance.
Climax Community: The final, stable community in an area after succession.
Biomes are large ecosystems defined by climate (e.g., tropical rainforest, desert). Review the relationship between climate classification (A, B, C, D, E) and biomes.
Forest: Types include tropical rainforests and temperate deciduous forests. Fires play a role in many forests.
Grasslands: Characterized by low precipitation, often result from climatic factors like seasonal drought.
Deserts: Defined by low precipitation, temperature extremes, and vegetation adapted to dry conditions.
Tundra: Cold, treeless areas with short growing seasons, influenced by latitude and ocean temperatures.
Highest NPP: Tropical rainforests.
Lowest NPP: Deserts and tundras.
These likely involve understanding the concepts of heat waves (extended periods of excessive heat) and wet bulb temperature (a measure of humidity and temperature used to gauge heat stress).