Chapter 19 - Weather Flashcards
What do meteorologists use to measure temperature?
Thermometers
What is the scientific study of the atmosphere?
Meteorology
How are temperatures indicated?
In degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celcius
What is air pressure measured in units of?
Lb/in2 or psi- or N/m2 PASCAL
What is the instrument used to measure air pressure?
Barometer
What is the direction from which the wind is coming?
Wind direction
Where do vanes point?
Into the wind, not toward the direction the wind is going
What are wind speeds reported in?
Knots
What do they use to measure wind speed?
Anemometer
What amount of wind can make air seem cooler?
Any amount of air
What is precipitation measured in?
Millimeters or inches of liquid water
What do we use to measure precipitation?
Rain gauges
Can warmer or cooler air hold more water vapor?
Warmer air
How is the fraction of relative humidity expressed?
As a percent
What is humidity measured with?
Hygrometers
How is wind created?
Air moves from higher to lower pressure
What deflects a wind perpendicular to its path over the earth’s surface?
The Coriolis effect
Is the Coriolis effect stronger farther away or closer to the equator?
Farther away
How do cyclones turn in the Northern Hemisphere?
Counter clockwise
What affects wind?
The Coriolis effect
What do the prevailing westerlies give the US?
It’s weather
Where are most of the winds in the US from?
The west and southwest
Where are the horse latitudes?
At 30 degrees latitude either north or south
Does land or water absorb energy from the sun more readily?
Land
