16 - Climate system Flashcards
what are the 5 components of the earths climate
1 atmosphere
2 hydrosphere
3 cryosphere
4 lithosphere
5 biosphere
what is climate
the statistical characterisation of the climate system, representing the average weather, typically over a 30 year period
what is weather
the day to day state of the atmosphere describing the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet or dry, stormy or calm, clear or cloudy
what drives the atmospheric circulation patterns
- rotation of the earth
- energy from the sun
where is the Hadley cell
0-30 deg N and S of the equator
where is the ferrel cell
30-60 deg N and S of the equator
where is the polar cell
60-90 deg N and S of the equator
what is the coreolis effect
the deflection of the direction of the wind to the right in the N hemisphere due to the rotation of the earth
what is a storm
a significant disturbed state of the atmosphere from the normal conditions
how do tropical cyclones form
- over large bodies of relatively warm water
- energy comes from the evaporation of water from the ocean surface
what are extratropical storms
storms that are anywhere within the extratropical region (30-60 deg latitude)
what is the Beaufort wind force scale
an empirical measure that related wind speed to observed conditions ar seas or on land
