Chapter 12 Vocab Flashcards
Air Mass
A large volume of air that has the same characteristics (temperature, humidity)
Analog Forecast
A comparison of current patterns to similar patterns from the past
Anemometer
Measures wind speed
Barometer
An instrument that measures air pressure, and there are 2 types; the mercury barometer and the aneroid barometer.
Climate
Long-term average of variations in atmospheric conditions for a particular area
Coriolis Effect
Fluids and objects moving in what looks like a curved path instead of a straight line
Digital Forecast
Relies on numerical data, and its accuracy is related directly to the amount of available data
Doppler Effect
The change in pitch or frequency that occurs due to the relative motion of a wave (like sound or light) as it comes toward or goes away from an observer.
Electrometer
Thunder and lightning; signs of atmospheric electricity that you can hear and see
Front
A collision of 2 air masses forms a front, and a narrow region between 2 air masses of different densities
Hydrometer
Cloud droplets and precipitation (rain,snow,sleet,and hail)
Hygrometer
Measures humidity
Isobar
Lines of equal pressure on a weather map
Isotherm
Lines of equal temperature on a weather map
Jet Stream
Strong, fast, and narrow bands of westerly winds. It’s speed varies with the temperature differences between the air masses at wind zone boundaries; with speeds up to 400km/h (250 mph) at altitudes of 10.7 km to 12.2 km
Lithometeor
Smoke, haze, dust, and other particles suspended in the atmosphere
Prevailing Westerlies
Wind systems on Earth located between latitudes 30 degrees North and 60 degrees North, and 30 degrees South and 60 degrees South
Polar Easterlies
The wind zones between 60 degrees North latitude and the North Pole, and 60 degrees South latitude and the South Pole
Radiosonde
An instrument used for gathering upper atmospheric data
Station Model
A record of data for a particular site at a particular time
Source Region
The area over which the air mass forms
Thermometer
Measures temperature using either the celsius or fahrenheit scale
Trade Winds
When the air reaches the equator, it warms, rises and moves back toward latitudes 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South, where it sinks and the process repeats. Near latitudes 30 degrees North and 30 degrees South, the sinking air, creates an area of high pressure
Weather
Short-term variations in atmospheric events that interact and affect the environment and life on earth
