Climate & Weather, Global Atmospheric Circulation, Trade Winds and Rainfall Flashcards
What is weather?
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular moment in a specific place.
What does climate refer to?
Climate refers to the average weather conditions over a period of 30 years.
What characterizes the Caribbean islands’ climate?
The Caribbean islands have a tropical maritime climate.
What does ‘tropical’ indicate in the context of Caribbean climate?
‘Tropical’ refers to the Caribbean’s location between 0° and 30° N of the equator and its high but uniform temperature.
How does the ocean influence the Caribbean climate?
The ocean has a high specific heat capacity, absorbing and releasing heat slower than land, leading to more consistent temperatures.
Why does water have a high specific heat capacity?
Water is a liquid and transparent, allowing sun rays to penetrate deep and distribute heat widely.
What role do tides and currents play in the ocean’s temperature?
Tides and currents help distribute heat within the water body.
How does wind affect temperature?
Wind blows cool air over the land during warmer months and warm air during cooler months.
List some factors that impact the temperature of an area.
Distance from the sea, nature of sea currents, altitude, dominant winds, cloud cover, atmospheric pressure, and proximity to the equator.
How does cloud cover affect solar radiation?
Cloud cover increases solar radiation reaching the surface by refraction and reflection, and decreases it by absorption.
What are Northeast trade winds?
Northeast trade winds blow from the Azores-Bermuda anticyclone, a high pressure area.
How does the coriolis effect influence trade winds?
It affects these winds so strongly that they become almost entirely easterly by the time they reach the equator.
What is the relative humidity of trade winds?
Trade winds have a moderate relative humidity around 70° E.
Do trade winds generally produce heavy rainfall?
No, they generally do not produce heavy rainfall although local disturbances may disrupt this.
What causes a decrease in air pressure during the summer?
Disturbances in trade winds cause a decrease in air pressure during the summer.
What happens when air moves over high ground?
It can lead to the movement of weak, low pressure systems.
What is convection rainfall?
Convection rainfall occurs when a pocket of warm air rises, cools, and condenses to produce localized rainfall.
What is relief rainfall?
Relief rainfall occurs when warm air is forced to rise after meeting a barrier like a mountain, producing rainfall on the windward side.
What is the rainshadow area?
The leeward side of the island, where the air is warm and dry causing less rainfall, is known as the rainshadow area.
What are the characteristics of trade winds?
Constant breeze towards the Caribbean islands, particularly the windward side, and not producing heavy rainfall.
What was the first model to explain global circulation of wind?
The single cell model was the first to explain global circulation of wind.
What does the 3 cell model account for that the single cell model does not?
The 3 cell model accounts for the coriolis effect.
What are the 3 primary global convection cells?
Hadley Cell, Ferrel Cell, and Polar Cell.
What is the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?
The ITCZ is the equatorial boundary between the 2 Hadley Cells where air masses converge and uplift occurs.
What is the result of the convergence at the ITCZ?
The convergence at the ITCZ can cause air to condense and produce rainfall.
