Climate Flashcards
Transition zones between two air masses of different densities are called what?
fronts
A _______ front occurs when a cold air mass replaces a warmer one.
cold
A _______front occurs when a warm air mass replaces a colder one.
warm
What type of front is symbolized on a weather map as a solid purple line with alternating triangles and semicircles pointing the same direction?
Occluded Front
What is a boundary that separates a moist air mass from a dry air mass called?
Dry Line or Dew Point Front
True or false: warm fronts generally are faster moving than cold fronts.
False
The layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of the Earth is the ___________.
troposphere
The layer of the atmosphere third closest to the Earth’s surface is the ____________.
Mesosphere
The layer of the atmosphere second closest to the Earth’s surface is the _____________.
Stratosphere
The layer of the atmosphere fourth closest to the Earth’s surface is the _____________.
Thermosphere
Temperature increases with altitude in the ____________ and ____________.
Stratosphere, Thermosphere
order doesn’t matter
Temperature decreases with altitude in the ____________ and ____________.
Troposphere, Mesosphere (order
doesn’t matter)
The _______________ separates the troposphere and stratosphere.
Tropopause
The _______________ separates the mesosphere and thermosphere.
Mesopause
The _______________ separates the stratosphere and mesosphere.
Stratopause
Meteors disintegrate in which layer of the atmosphere?
Mesosphere
Most of the ozone layer is located in which layer of the atmosphere?
Stratosphere
Almost all weather occurs in which layer of the atmosphere?
Troposphere
True or false: the tropopause varies in altitude with latitude; 17 kilometers high at the poles and 9 kilometers high at the equator.
False
The average temperature of a large city is about 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the surrounding outstate area at similar latitude and elevation. What term describes this phenomenon best?
Urban Heat Island Effect
True or false: Weather near a large body of water tends to be warmer in the summer and colder in the winter than the surrounding land area.
False
The Maunder Minimum occurred at the same time as the middle of what climatological event?
Little Ice Age
True or false: the Dalton Minimum lasted approximately from 1730 to 1890 C.E.
False
The Little Ice Age was a period of cooling that occurred after what climatological event?
Medieval Warm Period or Medieval Climate
Optimum or Medieval Climatic Anomaly
What is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree growth rings called?
Dendrochronology
True or false: water vapor is not a greenhouse gas.
False
True or false: the urban heat island effect is most noticeable during the day.
False
Thermohaline circulation refers to the global, ___________-driven motion of the Earth’s oceans
Density
What are dark spots on the photosphere of the sun called? Are they warmer or colder than the rest of the photosphere? Are they associated with increased or decreased energy output from the sun?
Sunspots, Colder, Increased
With respect to the plane of Earth’s orbit, Earth’s axial tilt varies between _______ and ________ degrees (please give answers to the nearest tenth of a degree).
22.1, 24.5 (order doesn’t matter)
Earth’s axial precession has a period of roughly ___________ years.
26,000
Name the class on the Köppen climate classification: temperate, dry summers, less than three months with mean temperatures above 10 °C.
Csc: Dry-summer maritime subalpine
True or false: the Earth reaches perihelion in early January and aphelion in early July.
True
Is the Earth’s axial tilt currently increasing or decreasing?
Decreasing
Under El Niño conditions, temperatures in British Columbia during its winter are generally ___________ than usual.
Higher (or warmer, etc.)
Under El Niño conditions, Madagascar tends to have _________ temperatures and _______ precipitation than usual during its summer.
Higher (or warmer, etc.), Less
True or false: Under El Niño conditions, from December to January, Florida tends to experience warmer and wetter conditions.
False
True or false: Under La Niña conditions, from December to January, Florida tends to experience cooler and drier conditions.
False
What is another word for axial tilt?
a) Obliquity
b) Precession
c) Insolation
d) Eccentricity
A
Do ocean currents influence climate?
Yes
Do fronts influence climate?
No
What is the most significant variable gas by volume in the planetary boundary layer?
Water Vapor
Which of the following has the highest albedo?
a) Fresh snow
b) Water
c) Grass
d) Blacktop
A
True or false: water’s albedo can vary depending on the angle of the incoming solar radiation striking the surface of the water.
True
How can particulate matter affect atmospheric temperatures on earth?
Answers may vary: Aerosols can scatter
and absorb incoming solar radiation. The scattering of insolation causes cooling, while the absorption of insolation causes warming. Aerosols can also serve as cloud condensation nuclei. The increased incidence of clouds will result in a less extreme diurnal temperature range.
IPCC is an abbreviation for what?
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Where does all weather take place. A)Troposphere B)Mesosphere C)Space D)Underground E)In the water
Troposphere
True or False? A Chinook wind is a cold wind on the leeward side of a mountain.
False
A Dericho is a very ______ wind.
strong
Powerful
Which layer of the atmosphere has the lowest average temperature?
a) troposphere
b) stratosphere
c) mesosphere
d) ionosphere
e) thermosphere
C
State the percent by volume of the following gases in the Earth’s atmosphere (at surface level in dry air). Round to the nearest whole percent.
Oxygen: ______
Argon: ______
Nitrogen: ______
21%, 1%, 78%
Give an estimation of the current ppm (parts per million) concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. _______
any number from 350-400 ppm
In what layer of the atmosphere is there a temperature inversion?
a) troposphere
b) stratosphere
c) mesosphere
d) ionosphere
e) thermosphere
B
Which layer of the atmosphere has the lowest amount of thermal energy?
a) troposphere
b) stratosphere
c) mesosphere
d) ionosphere
e) thermosphere
A
Rank the following surfaces from 1-5 based on their albedo, 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest. \_\_\_ grassy field \_\_\_ fresh snow \_\_\_ forest \_\_\_ clouds \_\_\_ ocean
3, 1, 5, 2, 4
Which of the following correctly describes sunspots?
a) the sunspot itself is cooler than the surrounding corona; the more sunspots, the less solar radiation the sun emits
b) the sunspot itself is warmer than the surrounding corona; the more sunspots, the less solar radiation the sun emits
c) the sunspot itself is cooler than the surrounding corona; the more sunspots, the more solar radiation the sun emits
d) the sunspot itself is warmer than the surrounding corona; the more sunspots, the more solar radiation the sun emits
C
Approximately how many hours of daylight does a person standing at the South Pole receive on the summer solstice?
a) 0
b) 8
c) 12
d) 16
e) 24
A
Which of the following has the greatest effect on a location’s temperature during a given season?
a) average daily duration of solar radiation
b) average daily intensity of re-radiated solar radiation
c) average daily percentage of solar radiation reflected by clouds
d) average daily angle of solar radiation
D
Harrison is standing at 30 degrees south latitude. What would be the measure of the angle between his line of sight and the apparent position of the sun on the winter solstice?
a) 7.5 degrees
b) 30 degrees
c) 53.5 degrees
d) 60 degrees
e) 83.5 degrees
E
During what Northern Hemisphere season is the Earth closest to the sun?
a) spring
b) summer
c) fall
d) winter
e) none; the Earth remains an equal distance from the sun throughout the year
D
What is the eccentricity of a perfect circle? _______
0
What would happen to the seasons if the axial tilt of the Earth increased?
a) Summers would get colder and winters would get warmer.
b) Summers would get warmer and winters would get colder.
c) Summers would get shorter and winters would get longer.
d) Summers would get longer and winters would get shorter.
B
Briefly explain the difference between weather and climate.
Weather describes day-to-day atmospheric interactions, while climate is weather observed over longer periods of time, taking into account trends and significant anomalies.
Briefly explain the difference between a continental climate and a coastal climate.
A continental climate has greater temperature variation throughout the year than does a coastal climate.
Which of the following climate zones is typically subject to the greatest diurnal variation in temperature?
a) humid subtropical
b) arctic
c) arid
d) Mediterranean
C
Why is Anchorage, Alaska considered to have a subarctic climate under the Koppen climate classification system?
a) it receives over 75 inches of snowfall every year
b) it is located only a few degrees of latitude south of the Arctic Circle
c) average temperatures there exceed 10 degrees Celsius for between 1 and 3 months of the year
d) it is located adjacent to a cold ocean current
C
Which of the following best describes a climate that is heavily influenced by monsoons?
a) wet and rainy year-round
b) wet and rainy for part of the year, then very dry for the remainder of the year
c) hot and dry year-round
d) moderated by the trade winds
B
Most of the world’s deserts (excluding Antarctica) are located at:
a) 0 degrees north latitude to 15 degrees north latitude
b) 15 degrees north latitude to 30 degrees north latitude
c) 30 degrees north latitude to 45 degrees north latitude
d) 45 degrees north latitude to 60 degrees north latitude
B
Choose all of the following that are NOT true:
I. The Koppen climate classification system is based on both the temperature and annual amount of precipitation of a region
II. A city that is classified as having a humid continental climate under the Koppen classification system would possibly have a Thornthwaite index of -20
III. The Thronthwaite system of climate classification is not directly based on temperature
a) I only
b) II only
c) III only
d) II and III only
e) I, II, and III
B
Name the semi-permanent high pressure system that influences the angle of the jet stream along the eastern coast of North America during the Northern Hemisphere hurricane season. __________________________
Bermuda high
Which of the following wind patterns is known for causing rapid warm-ups in winter weather along the northwestern United States via adiabatic warming?
a) Chinook
b) Haboob
c) Panhandle hook
d) Santa Ana
D
What is the main driving force in the thermohaline circulation (ocean conveyer belt)? ______________________________________
density of warm vs. cold water; density of saline vs. pure water
About how often does El Nino occur?
a) annually
b) every 5 years
c) variable; anywhere from a few years to decades d) every decade
e) every century
B
Select all of the following found in an ice core sample that would help a scientist date that section of the sample.
a) pollen
b) trapped air bubbles
c) layering
d) volcanic ash
e) oxygen isotope changes
C, D
Why is coral bleaching an unreliable method of deducing ancient climates? _____________________________________
There is no way of obtaining past records of bleaching; it must be actively observed.
Match the following methods of climate analysis with the to measure. \_\_\_ tree-ring dating \_\_\_ ice cores \_\_\_ instrumental records \_\_\_ coral bleaching \_\_\_ sediment cores A. 150 years ago B. 1 million years ago C. 400,000 years ago D. 30 years ago E. 500 years ago
E, C, A, D, B
Describe ONE way in which plate tectonics affect long-term climate. __________
Plate tectonics may increase volcanism OR create more sea floor.
Which number represents the Younger Dryas cooling period? ______
6
Which number represents the Little Ice Age? ______
10
Which number represents the Medieval Warm Period? ______
9
Describe ONE way in which an increase in carbon pollution caused by humans would affect the climate. ____________________
Since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, an increase of its concentration in the atmosphere would prevent longwave radiation from escaping into space, thus increasing the world’s temperatures.
Where on Earth is the ozone hole located?
a) the Aral Sea
b) Antarctica
c) the Arctic
d) New York City
e) small ozone holes exist throughout the world
B
Name one CAUSE of deforestation. ______________________
corrupt governments, population growth, overpopulation, urbanization, agriculture, industry.
Name one EFFECT of deforestation on the world’s climate. ______________________
global warming/climate change, increased carbon dioxide emissions, loss of biodiversity, desertification, flooding, landslides, decreased evapotranspiration.
Match each cloud type to the letter best pertaining to its characteristics \_\_\_ cirrostratus \_\_\_ lenticular \_\_\_ nimbostratus \_\_\_ cirrocumulus \_\_\_ mammatus \_\_\_ cumulus humilis \_\_\_ cirrus \_\_\_ cumulonimbus A. usually forms and disperses within 40 minutes B. associated with steady precipitation C. baglike; hangs on the undersides of a cloud D. has a distinctive anvil top E. exhibits “mare’s tails” F. may be confused with UFOs G. has fish scale-like small clouds H. halos may form
H, F, B, G, C, A, E, D
Under what conditions is the atmosphere inherently unstable?
a) when the environmental lapse rate is greater than the dry adiabatic rate
b) when the environmental lapse rate is between the moist and dry adiabatic rates
c) when the environmental lapse rate is less than the moist adiabatic rate
d) when Eidan listens to dubstep
A
The term “rain shadow” refers to which of the following?
a) the decreased amount of sunlight that often occurs before precipitation
b) a scattered group of clouds that trails behind the remainder of a cold front
c) a region where precipitation is notably less because of a mountain barrier’s cooling of the air as it rises
d) a region where precipitation is notably less because of a mountain barrier’s warming of the air as it rises
C
Virga is best defined as:
a) meteorologists’ nickname for the Virgin Mary.
b) a hot, dry, dusty easterly wind that occurs in West Africa
c) a concentration of fine particles near the surface of the Earth
d) rain falling from a cloud that evaporates before it hits the ground
e) an accumulation of white or milky granular ice
D
Select all of the following that influence wind direction (there may be more than one answer): a) pressure gradient force
b) Coriolis force
c) friction
d) elastic force
e) centripetal force
A, B, C, E
Match the following weather instruments with the correct description: \_\_\_ anemometer \_\_\_ radiosonde \_\_\_ hygrometer \_\_\_ barometer \_\_\_ sling psychrometer A. carried aboard weather balloons B. measures wind speed C. used in determining altitude D. contains a dry bulb and a wet bulb E. measures humidity
B, A, E, C, D
Briefly describe the difference between sleet and freezing rain. Use of either the US or international definition of “sleet” will be accepted. _______________________________________________________
Sleet consists of ice pellets (OR partially-melted snow, as per the international definition) while freezing rain consists of supercooled droplets that freeze upon contact with a surface.
What is the ultimate “goal” of all weather on Earth? (In other words, why does weather occur?) ____________________________________________________________________________
To create a state of equilibrium.
What is the ultimate source of weather on Earth? _________
the sun
Convert -30 degrees Kelvin to degrees Celsius. _________
impossible; absolute zero is 0 Kelvin
How much(in percent) do each gas contribute to global warming? water vapor\_\_\_ carbon dioxide\_\_\_ methane\_\_\_ ozone\_\_\_
water vapor, which contributes 36–70%
carbon dioxide, which contributes 9–26%
methane, which contributes 4–9%
ozone, which contributes 3–7%
How much energy in watts does the sun deposit per square meter on Earth?
The sun deposits 342 Watts of energy into every square meter of the Earth.
What is an albedo?
Albedo is the ratio of radiation reflected back over the amount of radiation received in the first place.
How is energy sent and received from the sun to the earth(in what form of radiation)?
Energy is output from the sun in the form of short-wave radiation, and is absorbed and reflected by earth as long-wave radiation.
What is the Daisy World model?
The Daisyworld Model is a hypothetical idea in which a planet is covered in black and white daisies. The daisies have different albedos, so the growth of both daisies affect the planet’s temperature and overall population. The Daisyworld Model is a demonstration of the Gaia Theory.
Match the Köppen Climate Classification groups with their climate sub groups: GROUP A:\_\_\_\_\_ GROUP B:\_\_\_\_\_ GROUP C:\_\_\_\_\_ GROUP D:\_\_\_\_\_ GROUP E:\_\_\_\_\_ GROUP H:\_\_\_\_\_
- Tropical/megathermal climates- Tropical rain forest climate (Af), Tropical monsoon climate (Am), Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Aw)
- Dry (arid and semiarid) (climate’s precipitation is less than potential evapotranspiration)- Subtropical desert (Bwh), Subtropical steppe (Bsh), Mid-Latitude desert (Bwk), Mid-Latitude Steppe (Bsk)
- Temperate/mesothermal climates- Mediterranean climates (Csa, Csb), Humid subtropical climates (Cfa, Cwa), Maritime Temperate climates or Oceanic climates (Cfb, Cwb, Cfc), temperate climate with dry winters (Cwb), Maritime Subarctic climates or Subpolar Oceanic climates (Cfc)
- Continental/microthermal climate- Hot Summer Continental climates (Dfa, Dwa, Dsa), Warm Summer Continental or Hemiboreal climates (Dfb, Dwb, Dsb), Continental Subarctic or Boreal (taiga) climates (Dfc, Dwc, Dsc)
- Polar climates- Tundra climate (ET), Ice Cap climate (EF)
- Highland climates, in which altitude plays a role in determining climate classification
GROUP A: Tropical/megathermal climates- Tropical rain forest climate (Af), Tropical monsoon climate (Am), Tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Aw)
GROUP B: Dry (arid and semiarid) (climate’s precipitation is less than potential evapotranspiration)- Subtropical desert (Bwh), Subtropical steppe (Bsh), Mid-Latitude desert (Bwk), Mid-Latitude Steppe (Bsk)
GROUP C: Temperate/mesothermal climates- Mediterranean climates (Csa, Csb), Humid subtropical climates (Cfa, Cwa), Maritime Temperate climates or Oceanic climates (Cfb, Cwb, Cfc), temperate climate with dry winters (Cwb), Maritime Subarctic climates or Subpolar Oceanic climates (Cfc)
GROUP D: Continental/microthermal climate- Hot Summer Continental climates (Dfa, Dwa, Dsa), Warm Summer Continental or Hemiboreal climates (Dfb, Dwb, Dsb), Continental Subarctic or Boreal (taiga) climates (Dfc, Dwc, Dsc)
GROUP E: Polar climates- Tundra climate (ET), Ice Cap climate (EF)
GROUP H: Highland climates, in which altitude plays a role in determining climate classification
List and describe the major temperature controls/factors.
Latitude- main factor, higher the latitude, the lower the average yearly temperature and larger the yearly temperature range.
Altitude- average rate of decrease is 6.5°C per kilometer.
Land/sea boundary- areas in close proximity to a large bodies of water will tend to have a smaller range of temperatures (less extreme temperatures) than areas at similar latitudes and elevation that are far from large bodies of water (known as continentality)
Prevailing winds- moderates temperature; effect doesn’t extend past the first high mountain range. Warm or cold ocean currents can affect the temperature of an area.
List the major rainfall controls/factors.
Latitude- wet belt or dry belt
Mountains- windward sides are rainy, leeward sides have dry, descending winds called chinooks and foehns (known as the rain shadow effect)
Distance from the sea- drier near interior of continent (not a guarantee)
What are the signs of El Niño?
- Rise in air pressure over the Indian Ocean, Indonesia, and Australia 2. Fall in air pressure over Tahiti and the rest of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean 3. Trade winds in the south Pacific weaken or head east 4. Warm air rises near Peru, causing rain in the northern Peruvian deserts 5. Warm water spreads from the west Pacific and the Indian Ocean to the east Pacific. It takes the rain with it, causing extensive drought in the western Pacific and rainfall in the normally dry eastern Pacific.
Explain the effects of El Niño.
El Niño’s warm current of nutrient-poor tropical water, heated by its eastward passage in the Equatorial Current, replaces the cold, nutrient-rich surface water of the Humboldt Current, also known as the Peru Current, which support great populations of food fish. In most years the warming lasts only a few weeks or a month, after which the weather patterns return to normal and fishing improves. However, when El Niño conditions last for many months, more extensive ocean warming occurs and its economic impact to local fishing for an international market can be serious. During non-El Niño conditions, the Walker circulation is seen at the surface as easterly trade winds, which move water and air warmed by the sun towards the west. This also creates ocean upwelling off the coasts of Peru and Ecuador and brings nutrient-rich cold water to the surface, increasing fishing stocks. The western side of the equatorial Pacific is characterized by warm, wet low-pressure weather as the collected moisture is dumped in the form of typhoons and thunderstorms. The ocean is some 60 cm higher in the western Pacific as the result of this motion.
Explain the effects of La Niña.
In the Pacific, La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific, compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the same area. Atlantic tropical cyclone activity is generally enhanced during La Niña. The La Niña condition often follows the El Niño, especially when the latter is strong.
Match the effects of both El Niño and La Niña.
El Niño:
La Niña:
- Strong Equatorial Counter-Current
- Strong Peruvian Current
- Wetter than Average Winter over Florida
- Higher Sea Level in the West Pacific
- Pronounced Ridge in Polar Jet over Western North America
- Stronger than Normal Subtropical Highs in Pacific
- Drier than Average over Indonesia and Australia
- Increased Snowfall in the North Western U.S.
- Large-Scale Warming of Pacific
- Oceanic Cooling of the Pacific
- El Niño 2.La Niña
- Strong Equatorial Counter-Current
- Strong Peruvian Current
- Wetter than Average Winter over Florida
- Higher Sea Level in the West Pacific
- Pronounced Ridge in Polar Jet over Western North America
- Stronger than Normal Subtropical Highs in Pacific
- Drier than Average over Indonesia and Australia
- Increased Snowfall in the North Western U.S.
- Large-Scale Warming of Pacific
- Oceanic Cooling of the Pacific
Explain thermohaline circulation.
The term thermohaline circulation (THC) refers to the part of the large-scale ocean circulation that is thought to be driven by global density gradients created by surface heat and freshwater fluxes.
What factors determine the density of sea water?
Salt content and Temperature
Explain the impact of thermohaline circulation on the Earth’s climate.
Because of this massive circulation, extensive mixing takes place between the ocean basins, reducing differences between them and making the Earth’s ocean a global system. On their journey, the water masses transport both energy (in the form of heat) and matter (solids, dissolved substances and gases) around the globe. If this system were to shut down, this changed flow would alter the climates of the entire Earth, and there would be no more circulation of salt or water. This would change the ocean habitats as well, and would affect marine life.
How does the Thornthwaite Classification system classify regions?
The driving factor in this system is the water budget of a region. Regions were classified in categories ranging from being humid to arid.
What is a climatograph?
A climatograph is used to show the precipitation and the temperature of a region.
