Chapter 3 Flashcards
Forced Convection
The mechanical stirring of the atmosphere by winds which cause more uniform temperatures
Why is there a more significant temperature altitude change during calm weather?
There is not mixing from the wind and the radiation heated ground becomes hotter
Why is the warmest temperature usually after solar noon?
Because the heat from the ground takes time to radiate away from the surface and cool down
How does evaporative cooling impact the desert?
The desert does not have moisture to evaporate so the heat stays at ground level and increases the air temperature
Radiational Cooling
When heat energy is radiated away from and object
How does radiational cooling affect the air temp?
Heat in the ground radiates away and the heat in the air is conducted to the ground so the air temp cools
Radiation Inversion
When the temperature near the ground is markedly higher than the immediate ground due to radiation away from the surface
When are the conditions best for radiation inversion?
Winter due to long nights, no wind so no mixing, clear sky, and dry air
Why can frost sometimes form even when the air temp is above freezing?
Radiation cooling will cool the surface to below freezing even if the temperature above the ground is above freezing
Thermal Belts
A layer of warm air on mid latitude hillsides. Occurs when the heavy cool air falls into the valleys
What factors impact dinural temp variation?
- Clouds (decrease)
- Humidity (decrease)
- Large body of water nearby (decrease)
- City Center? (Decrease)
Main Controls of Temp
- Latitude
- Land and Water Distrobution
- Ocean Currents
- Elevation
Isotherms
Lines on a map connecting locations with a similar temperature
Ocean current direction
Towards the poles on east side of continents. Towards the equator on western side.
Heating degree days
Based on the idea that people turn on their heater below 65. If the temp is 62 then the heating degree day is 3
