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geography > Climatology > Flashcards

Climatology Flashcards

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1
Q

Front

A

The leading edge of an advancing air mass

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2
Q

Cold front

A

The leading edge of an advancing, cold air mass

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3
Q

Warm front

A

The leading edge of a warm, subtropical air mass

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4
Q

Occluded front

A

When a cold front catches up to and overtakes a warm front in a mid-latitude cyclone

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5
Q

Mid-latitude cyclone (MLC)

A

A low pressure system formed where cold and warm air masses meet between the latitudes of 30 and 60 degrees in both northern and Southern Hemispheres

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6
Q

Convergent flow

A

Air flowing towards the low pressure at the centre of a cyclone

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7
Q

Divergent flow

A

Air flowing outwards away from the centre of a weather system

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8
Q

Vortex

A

The circulation of air around a low pressure system

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9
Q

Anti-cyclone

A

A high pressure system

Kalahari high pressure cell/ South Indian high/ south Atlantic high

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10
Q

Initial stage of a MLC

A

When there is disturbance in the WESTERLY wind belt where warm subtropical air meets cool polar air along a stationary front

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11
Q

Immature stage of MLC

A

A cell of low pressure forms and the two air masses begin to circulate around it

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12
Q

Mature stage of MLC

A

The boundary between the cold and warm air masses is well developed with low pressure at the centre. Cloud cover and chance of precipitation increases

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13
Q

Occluded stage of MLC

A

The cold front catches up with the warm front and the warm air has been pushed upwards, rain occurs along the contact zone

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14
Q

Dissipating stage of MLC

A

When the pressure at the centre begins to rise, weather starts to clear and pressure gradient decreases

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15
Q

Tropical cyclone

A

A small, but very intense low pressure which forms over warm oceans and can cause huge damage to costal settlements.

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16
Q

Pressure gradient

A

The rate of change in pressure over the distance between a high and low pressure

17
Q

Unstable air

A

Air that is warmer than the surrounding air and Therefore rises

18
Q

Subsiding air

A

Air which is sinking down as it is dense and heavy

19
Q

Latent heat

A

Heat that is released during condensation or is absorbed during evaporation in an air mass

20
Q

Coriolis force

A

The force created by the earths rotation on its axis which deflects the direction of the wind in each hemisphere

21
Q

Eye of a tropical cyclone

A

The centre of the cyclone where conditions are clear and calm and air gently sinking

22
Q

Storm surge

A

The large waves created by strong winds in a tropical cyclone that cause flooding and damage in coastal areas

23
Q

Tracking

A

Plotting the path of a tropical cyclone in order to predict where it is moving towards

24
Q

ITCZ

A

The belt of low pressure that is located around the equator but shifts north and south of its position with the seasons and the apparent a movement of the sun

25
Q

Moisture front

A

Where moist air from the sea in the north (warm) meets cooler, drier air from the south west

26
Q

Line thunderstorms

A

Thunderstorms that occur in a line from the north west to the south east along the moisture front

27
Q

Inversion layer

A

A layer of cool defending air rich prevents warm air from rising. Occurs in valleys and over the escarpment in winter

28
Q

Slope aspect

A

The direction that a slope faces N/S

29
Q

Angle of insolation

A

The angle at which the earths surface is heated by solar insolation

30
Q

Katabatic winds

A

Cool, heavy air flowing downslope at NIGHT

31
Q

Anabatic winds

A

Warm, light air flowing upslope during the DAY

32
Q

Frost pocket

A

Cold air below freezing (0degrees) which settles at the bottom of a dip or valley at NIGHT

33
Q

Urban heat island

A

An urban area where temperature is warmer than the surrounding area

34
Q

Micro-climate

A

The climate of a specific small area (e.g: new lands, receiving the most rain in Cape Town)

35
Q

Pollution dome

A

A concentrated of polluted air above a city

36
Q

Synoptic charts

A

Showing conditions such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction

geography (4 decks)

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