CH. 8 - WX Part 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What causes pressure differences that result in different barometric or altimeter settings?

A

Unequal heating in different geographic areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the development of thermals depend upon?

A

Solar heating.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What defines the troposphere in terms of temperature?

A decrease in _____________ with an increase in _____________.

A

A decrease in temperature with an increase in altitude.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is associated with the top of the troposphere?

An abrupt change in the _____________ _____________ _____________.

A

An abrupt change in the temperature lapse rate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What atmospheric layer is the jet stream located near?

Near the boundary between the _____________ and _____________.

A

Near the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What weather phenomenon is commonly found on the colder side of a jet stream?

A

Clear air turbulence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How does the jet stream change during winter in the middle latitudes?

A

It shifts toward the south and its speed increases.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is a temperature inversion?

A

When temperature increases with altitude gains instead of decreasing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What causes a sea breeze?

A

Land heating up faster than water, creating a low-pressure area over land.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How is moisture added to the air for cloud formation?

By _____________ and ______________ of surface water.

A

By evaporation and sublimation of surface water.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What happens as air temperature cools to its dew point?

A

The air becomes saturated, and condensation occurs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How can you estimate the height above ground of cloud bases using surface temperature and dew point?

Subtract the _______________ _______________ from the _______________ temperature (in Fahrenheit), divide by _______________, and multiply by _______________.

A

Subtract the dew point from the surface temperature (in Fahrenheit), divide by 4.4, and multiply by 1,000.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How are clouds categorized according to their height?

A

Clouds are divided into four families based on their height ranges.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What determines the stability of an air mass?

A

The lapse rate of the temperature of the air.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does a large lapse rate indicate about air stability?

A

It indicates instability.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does a small lapse rate indicate about air stability?

A

It indicates stability.

17
Q

What are the characteristics of stable air?

A

Stratiform clouds, poor visibility, and smooth air.

18
Q

What are the characteristics of unstable air?

A

Cumuliform clouds, good visibility, and turbulence.

19
Q

What causes winds to flow from high to low pressure areas?

A

Pressure gradient force.

20
Q

How does the proximity or difference in pressure between areas affect wind force?

Closer areas or greater pressure differences result in _______________ wind force.

A

Closer areas or greater pressure differences result in stronger wind force.

21
Q

How does the Earth’s rotation affect wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere?

Winds are curved to the _____________ due to the _____________ Force.

A

Winds are curved to the right due to the Coriolis Force.

22
Q

Why are winds slowed near the surface?

A

Due to interference from terrain and obstructions, leading to surface friction.

23
Q

How does surface friction affect the direction of winds near the surface?

It _______________ the _______________Force, causing winds to back (shift _______________) and slow down.

A

It weakens the Coriolis Force, causing winds to back (shift counterclockwise) and slow down.

24
Q

What meteorological phenomenon occurs when a temperature inversion traps air?

A

Wind shear.

25
Q

Under what conditions is wind shear most likely to occur?

During a _______________ inversion with surface winds of at least ____ knots.

A

During a temperature inversion with surface winds of at least 25 knots.

26
Q

At what altitudes and from what directions can wind shear occur?

A

Wind shear can occur at all altitudes and from all directions.