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Weather and climate (Geography 110) > Final Exam > Flashcards

Final Exam Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main characteristics of a tropical cyclone?

A

Rising air
cyclonic rotation
clouds and precipitation
high wind speeds
no fronts
thermal low pressure
develop over tropical oceans
steered by pressure and wind systems around a STH

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2
Q

What are the requirements for tropical cyclone development?

A

warm ocean surface (27 C or higher)
deep layer of moist air
through of low pressure (easterly wave)
lack of vertical wind shear
sufficient distance from equator for coriolis

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3
Q

What are the different hierarchies for tropical cyclones?

A

tropical depression - >20 knots
tropical storm - >35 knots
hurricane - >65 knots or 74 mph

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4
Q

What happens when a tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm?

A

a name is assigned
names are in alphabetical order, alternating female and male names

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5
Q

what is a storm surge?

A

high water is driven by low pressure
wind effect is magnified by the forward motion of the storm on the right-front quarter

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6
Q

Define weather

A

atmospheric conditions at a given time in a specific location

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7
Q

define climate

A

accumulated and averaged weather patterns of a locality or region; the full description is based in longterm statistics and includes extremes or deviations

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8
Q

define a climate classification system

A

a method for determining categories of climate types based on climatic weather data and characteristics

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9
Q

define a climate region

A

a region defined by the similarity of climatic conditions in the area within its boundaries

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10
Q

what is the purpose of classification?

A

arranging something into “like” groups

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11
Q

Why do we classify things?

A

create order
easier to understand, learn, and to teach
a good way to compare and contrast
allows mapping

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12
Q

Explain the ancient greek climate classification

A

the original greek climate classification scheme was expanded and correlated with Earth’s five astronomical zones to depict a world comprising of five climate zones

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13
Q

What do modern climate classifications use?

A

temperature data
precipitation data
longterm records
seasonal and annual statistical calculations
extreme events
many generalizations

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14
Q

variations are likely to occur across a climate region, true or false

A

true

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15
Q

what is the most widely used climate classification system?

A

the köppen system

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16
Q

what is the köppen system based on?

A

regional temperature and precipitation patterns

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17
Q

what are the advantages to the köppen system?

A

temperature and precipitation are relatively easy to measure
measured most often and in more parts of the world
most important and effective weather elements
linked to vegetation

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18
Q

what are the disadvantages of the köppen system?

A

considers only average monthly temperature and precipitation
ignores wind, cloud cover, precipitation intensity, and daily temperature extremes

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19
Q

What are the six major climate zones?

A

A - humid tropical
B - arid and semi-arid
C - humid mesothermal
D - humid microthermal
E - polar
H - highland

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20
Q

what four climate zones are based on temperature characteristics and have adequate annual moisture?

A

A, C, D, and E

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21
Q

What do the second letters indicate?

A

precipitation conditions

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22
Q

What do the thrid letters indicate?

A

temperature conditions

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23
Q

What are the 4 second letters used with A, C, and D climate zones?

A

f - wet year round
m - monsoon
w - winter dry
s - summer dry

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24
Q

what are the 4 thrid letters used with A, C, and D climate zones?

A

a - hot summer
b - warm summer
c - mild summer
d - cold winter

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25
Q

what are the two main types of B climates?

A

BS - steppe
BW - desert

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26
Q

what are the 2 third letters used with B climates?

A

h - hot
k - cold

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27
Q

What are the 2 second letters used with E climates?

A

T - tundra
F - ice sheet

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28
Q

what are the main characteristics of A climates?

A

high temperature year round
near equator
no winter season

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29
Q

what are the 3 A climate types?

A

Af - tropical rainforest
Am - tropical monsoon
Aw - dry “winter” tropical savanna

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30
Q

what are the main characteristics of B climates?

A

year round moisture deficiency
precipitation received is less than potential evapotranspiration
15° N/S to 30° N/S
subtropical high

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31
Q

what are the two types of B climates?

A

BS - steppe
BW - desert

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32
Q

what are the main characteristics of C climates?

A

mild winter
Tmin > 0 C
snow is possible in some places, but usually melts off fast

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33
Q

what are the three main types of C climates?

A

Csa/Csb - dry summer along west coast, Mediterranean
Cfa - moist hot summer along east coast, humid subtropical
Cfb - moist, mild summer along northwest coast, marine west coast

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34
Q

what are the main characteristics of D climates?

A

severe winters with at least month averaging below freezing
Tmin < 0 C

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35
Q

what are the three main types of D climates?

A

Dfa/Dwa - hot summer
Dfb/Dwb - mild summer
Dfc/Dwc/Dfd/Dwd - subartic

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36
Q

what are the main characteristics of E climates?

A

no month has an average temperature exceeding 10 C`

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37
Q

what are the two types of E climates?

A

ET - tundra, summer thaw
EF - ice sheet, below freezing all year

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38
Q

what are the main characteristics of H climates?

A

can change air mass movements
create abrupt climate divides
microclimates related to elevation, clouds, and exposure
leeward side is drier

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39
Q

What are climographs?

A

a standard climograph shows average monthly temperature and rainfall
horizontal index line are at 0 C, 10 C, 18 C, and 22 C. these are the köppen temperature parameters by which climate data are classified

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40
Q

what is an ecosystem?

A

a community of organisms and their physical environment (including soils, topography, streams, wetlands, etc.)

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41
Q

what two categories do ecosystems consist of

A

biotic and abiotic elements

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42
Q

what are biotic elements?

A

organisms - individuals of various species
biomass - all of the living and non-living biological material
genetic resources - indicated total variation among populations of species in a community

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43
Q

what are abiotic elements?

A

air - gas exchange
water - photosynthesis
sunlight - photosynthesis
temperature - warmth for metabolic activity
nutrients - photosynthesis in plants; energy in animals; CO2 is a major plant nutrient

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44
Q

what is a biome?

A

a collection of broadly similar types of plants and animals in a geographical area

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45
Q

what are biomes a primary function of?

A

climate

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46
Q

climate determines what kind of organisms can live in an area, true or false

A

true

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47
Q

what are the four main biome types?

A

forests
grassland
desert
arctic and alpine tundra

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48
Q

describe forests

A

associated with large woody perennial tree species
height of trees forms a closed canopy
exist only where there is a net moisture balance

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49
Q

what is a net moisture balance?

A

where moisture availability exceeds potential evapotranspiration

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50
Q

what are some examples of tropical forests?

A

tropical rainforest
monsoon rainforest
thornbush and scrub forest

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51
Q

what are some examples of midlatitude forests?

A

Mediterranean sclerophyllous woodland
broadleaf deciduous forest
broadleaf evergreen forest
mixed forest
coniferous forest

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52
Q

describe grasslands

A

globally extensive in the continental interior where most of the precipitation falls in the high-sun (summer) season
thought that grasses are dominant only where trees and shrubs cannot tolerate excessive deficient soil moisture, although there are clues that grasslands have expanded under the human influence in forest areas, particularly for agriculture

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53
Q

what would you most likely find in deserts?

A

xerophytic adaptations for plants

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54
Q

what are some examples of xerophytic adaptations?

A

deep roots
small leaves
waxy leaves
deciduous
rapid germination and flowering
water storage
hairs or spines
shallow roots
CAM and C4 metabolic pathways

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55
Q

when would plants have deep roots? shallow roots?

A

deep - there is deep soil moisture/groundwater
shallow - deep water does not exist

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56
Q

what is the difference among A climates?

A

annual totals of precipitation and seasonal distribution of precipitation

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57
Q

what are the characteristics for an Af climate?

A

equatorial locations, within 10° N/S
the coolest month is over 18 C
annual temperature range, 2-3 C
driest month over 6cm
precipitation evenly distributed year round
high humidity; regular and high amount of cloud cover

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58
Q

what are the climate controls for Af climate?

A

low latitude
high sun angles
regular day length year round
ITZC
convectional lifting
tradewinds lifting air onto coasts and mountains orographic lifting
eastern coastlines with warm ocean currents
trees transpire lots of vapor - wet climate

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59
Q

what vegetation is linked with Af climates?

A

tropical rainforest biome

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60
Q

what are the characteristics for Am climates?

A

coastal locations within the tropics
coolest month is over 18 C
annual temperature range is 2-6 C
one month or more with less than 6cm rain
precipitation max during high-sun season, hottest temps immediately prior

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61
Q

what are the climate controls for Am climates?

A

low latitude
high sun angles
regular day length year round
seasonal shifting of ITCZ with direct overhead sun
Changing pressure causes reversal of wind directions
orographic lifting in some locations

62
Q

what is the difference of summer and winter winds in an Am climate?

A

summer winds are onshore
winter winds are offshore

63
Q

what vegetation is linked with Am climates?

A

monsoon forest biome grading to thorn and scrub forest

64
Q

________ varies more in Am climates than Af climates

A

temperature

65
Q

when are temperatures the highest in Am climates?

A

just before monsoon rains

66
Q

Am climates are _________ climates which means they are at the edges of Af, why?

A

transitional
enough precipitation to support monsoon rainforest
length of dry season varies place to place

67
Q

monsoon rainforests are more simple versions of _______

A

tropical rainforest

68
Q

what are the characteristics of a Aw climate?

A

tropical locations bordering Am and Af, 5°-20° N/S
coolest month is over 18 C
annual temp range 3-6 C
distinct dry season during low-sun season
wet during high-sun season

69
Q

what are the climate controls for Aw climates?

A

higher tropical latitudes
seasonally high sun angles
seasonal day length
seasonal shifting of ITCZ w/ directly overhead sun
trade winds shift pressure belts

70
Q

what influences the low-sun dry season in Aw climates?

A

subtropical high pressure

71
Q

what influences the high-sun wet season in Aw climates?

72
Q

what A climate has the highest temperature range?

73
Q

The average rainfall totals are very variable in Aw climates and can depend on proximity to what other climate?

74
Q

What A climate is a transitional climate to the semi-arid and arid B climates?

75
Q

what vegetation is linked to Aw climates?

A

tropical grasslands (savanna) biome
thornbush and scrub forests
occasional umbrella trees
low deciduous trees

76
Q

what are umbrella trees?

A

low trees with a broad crown

77
Q

what are arid climates based on?

A

precipitation effectiveness

78
Q

what does precipitation effectiveness take into account?

A

the potential water loss by evaporation and transpiration (PET) during the year

79
Q

what is the difference between precipitation that falls in warmer and cooler seasons?

A

precipitation that falls in warmer areas or during warmer seasons is less effective than precipitation in cooler areas and seasons because more water is lost as water vapor to the atmosphere

80
Q

what is the point of reference for whether a climate is considered arid or not?

A

annual precipitation compared to PET

81
Q

What is the comparison between annual precipitation and PET in a BS climate?

A

a steppe (BS) climate gets less precipitation than PET, but more than 1/2 PET

82
Q

what is the comparison between annual precipitation asn PET in a BW climate?

A

a desert (BW) climate gets less precipitation than 1/2 PET

83
Q

The third letter for B climates is what?

A

h - low latitudes, Tannual > 18C
k - high latitudes, Tannual <18C

84
Q

what are causes of aridity?

A

STH (15°-30° latitude)
deep moisture from source, continental interiors
coast with cold current
rainshadow

85
Q

what are the controlling factors for low latitude deserts?

A

subtropical high pressure
greatest stability along west coasts - upwelling, cold ocean current

86
Q

Give examples of rainshadow deserts

A

patagonia
great basin
taklamakan
gobi

87
Q

give examples of continental interiors in the northern hemisphere

A

gobi
taklanakan
turkestan

88
Q

give examples of STH deserts

A

sahara
arabian
thar
atacama
australian
mojave

89
Q

give examples of cold currect west coast deserts

A

western sahara
namib
atacama
western australia
baja california

90
Q

why is the desert sometimes called the land of extremes?

A

low precipitation
high insolation received and low humidity
relatively high annual and diurnal temp range
high variability of precipitation

91
Q

what is there a dangerous appeal to steppe climates?

A

agriculture
dry cycles
1930s dust bowl

92
Q

all C climates experience seasonality of _______

A

temperature

93
Q

what type of winter do C climates have?

A

mild but cool winter
the average temp of the coldest month is still at or above freezing
Tmin >0 C

94
Q

what type of summer do C climates have?

A

distinct, long summer
warmest months average temp is above 10 C
Tmax >10 C

95
Q

what are the characteristics of a Cwa/Cwb climate?

A

cool, dry winter and a hot or mild summer
found mostly in Asia and Africa
in Asia, they are associated with the monsoon system, being wet in the summer but dry in the winter
in Africa, they are found where you’d normally look for an Aw climate, but in these places, the higher altitudes make the temperatures just a bit too cool to be an A climate

96
Q

what are the characteristics of a Mediterranean (Csa/Csb) climate?

A

associated with subtropical west coasts
advection fog along coast
frost possible, but mild winter
dry summers and wet winters

97
Q

what is the difference between Csa and Csb?

A

Csa - inland, hot summer
Csb - coastal, mild summer from marine influence

98
Q

what are the climate controls for Mediterranean climates in summer and winter?

A

warm, dry summers - STH and cool ocean surface
moist winters - polar front cycles

99
Q

why do Mediterranean climates have a dry summer?

A

weak polar front jet/no midlatitude cyclones
strong subtropical high pressure

100
Q

why do Mediterranean climates have wet winters?

A

strong polar front jet/lots of midlatitude cyclones
weak STH influence

101
Q

what are some of the mediterranean vegetation characteristics?

A

long frost-free period
adapted to summer drought
sclerophyllous - thick evergreen leaves
fire adapted

102
Q

what are some fire adaptations for plants?

A

plants grow back from roots
thick bark

103
Q

what is the name for the scrub woodland in the Mediterranean climates?

104
Q

what are some characteristics for humid subtropical climates (Cfa)?

A

subtropical east coasts and inland locations between 20°-40° N/S
wet year round
annual temp range is moderate

105
Q

how are Cfa climates wet year round?

A

summer - convection
winter - cyclones from polar front

106
Q

what type of summer and winter do Cfa climates have?

A

hot summer
mild winter

107
Q

what is the summer pattern in Cfa climates?

A

convectional precipitation
ex. influx of humid, unstable maritime tropical air during the summer fuels convective thunder-storms across the southeastern US during summer months

108
Q

what is the winter pattern in Cfa climates?

A

midlatitude cyclonic precipitation
midlatitude cyclones provide the lifting mechanism for winter precipitation. moisture still comes from maritime tropical air of of warm oceans

109
Q

why are Cfa climates productive?

A

abundant rainfall
high temperatures
long growing season
soils have limited fertility

110
Q

why do soils is Cfa climates have limited fertility?

A

rapid decomposition and leaching of nutrients due to high precipitation

111
Q

what type of vegetation is linked with Cfa climates?

A

temperate forest biome
deciduous and evergreen
mixed broadleaf and needle-leaf

112
Q

what are the characteristics of a marine west coast climate (Cfb/Cfc)?

A

associated with middle to high latitude west coasts
mild moist summers
moist winters
freezing snow, but mild winter

113
Q

what are the climate controls for marine west coast climates in summer in winter, that it is wet year round?

A

summer - cool ocean surface and polar front cyclones
winter - polar front cyclones

114
Q

what are the marine west coast influences?

A

abundant source of moisture
maritime
frost and snow occur regularly

115
Q

what accounts for the abundant source of moisture in marine west coast climates?

A

in the westerlies on west coasts

116
Q

what influence does maritime have on marine west coast climates?

A

small diurnal and annual temperature range

117
Q

why do frost and snow occur regularly in marine west coast climates?

A

high latitude

118
Q

why is there a slight dryness in marine west coast climates in the summer?

A

weak polar front jet and cyclones
strong subtropical high pressure
higher latitudes experience less dryness in summer

119
Q

why do marine west coast climates have wet winters?

A

the polar front jet is further south
weak STH influence
strong polar front jet/lots of midlatitude cyclones

120
Q

what can be said about all D climates?

A

warmest month is above 10 C
coldest month is below freezing
large temperature range

121
Q

what kind of summer and winter do D climates have?

A

warm or hot summers
cold and snowy winters

122
Q

what are the locational attributes for D climates?

A

between 35°-75° N
do not exist in the southern hemisphere
only in continental locations
westerlies, polar front, polar high pressure
extreme seasonality on temperature

123
Q

what are the main characteristics of Dfa/Dwa climates?

A

warmest month is above 10 C
coldest month below freezing
precipitation all year except Asia (dry winter, Dw)

124
Q

what is the summer pattern in Dfa/Dwa climates?

A

thunderstorms and weak midlatitude cyclones, and lost of hot, humid weather
moisture comes from the gulf of mexico and the atlantic ocean

125
Q

what is the winter pattern in Dfa/Dwa climates?

A

midlatitude cyclones in the winter and lots of cold air from polar high pressure
moisture comes from the Gulf of Mexico and the atlantic ocean

126
Q

What can be said about the seasons and agriculture in the Dfa climate?

A

most productive of the microthermal climates
agriculture potential (the “corn belt climate”
mid-Atlantic and midwest US
length of growing season is limiting factor on productivity
trees are deciduous because cold, dry winter
grassland on drier margin of climate zone

127
Q

what are some seasonal changes in Dfa/Dwa climates?

A

winter - cold and snowy
spring - warmer w/ frequent showers, threat for frost
summer - hot and humid, occasional thunderstorm
fall - clear and rainy, mild days, frosty nights

128
Q

what are the characteristics of a humid continental, mild summer (Dfb/Dwb) climate?

A

close similarity to humid continental, hot summer
more continental with severe winters
poleward of humid continental, hot summer
distinct seasonality
variable weather

129
Q

What are the Dwb/Dfb climate locations?

A

are in vicinity of polar front all year

130
Q

what causes precipitation in Dfb/Dwb climates?

A

precipitation is caused by midlatitude cyclones all year and a fair amount of convectional thunderstorms in the summer

131
Q

which has less precipitation Dfa/Dwa or Dfb/Dwb, why?

A

Dfb/Dwb
colder and further from moisture sources

132
Q

Dfa/Dwa have shorter summers than Dfb/Dwb because of less convection, true or false

A

false
Dfb/Dwb have shorter summers

133
Q

Dfb/Dwb have colder winters than Dfa/Dwa because of short days, low sun angles, and high continentality, true or false

134
Q

Dfb/Dwb have greater snow accumulations that Dfa/Dwa, true or false

135
Q

what are the subarctic climates?

A

Dfc
Dwc
Dfd
Dwd

136
Q

what are the characteristics of subarctic climates?

A

found only in the northern hemisphere
farthest and most extreme of microthermal climates
short, cool summer - at least 1 month w/ average temp above 10 C
poleward limit roughly coincides with the 10 C isotherm for warmest month of the year
limited precipitation

137
Q

why do subarctic climates have limited precipitation?

A

occasional passage of cyclones
polar high and cold air limit precipitation

138
Q

what do subarctic climograph indicate?

A

effects of high latitude and continentality
severe winters
seasonal extremes
largest annual temperature range on earth

139
Q

Plants and animals in subarctic climates have low ______

A

NPP - net primary productivity

140
Q

subarctic climates have a long growing season, true or false

A

false
they have a short growing season

141
Q

what type of forest may you find in subarctice climates?

A

taigia - boreal forest

142
Q

what is permafrost? characteristics?

A

permanently frozen ground
varies in thickness and is often discontinuous
freeze/thaw cycle
patterned ground (frost polygons)
little to no agriculture

143
Q

what are some characteristics of E climates?

A

no months average above 10 C
no warm summer
no trees
day/night pattern: extreme annual changes in daylight period
large annual net loss of radiation

144
Q

what are some characteristics of Tundra (ET) climates?

A

extremely short, cool “summer” with regular frosts
average summer temp of 4 C to 10 C
winter temperatures not as severe as subarctic
maritime location
muskeg

145
Q

What are some characteristics of ice cap (EF) climates?

A

Tmax < 0 C
no monthly average above freezing
extremely low precipitation due to cold air and dominating high pressure

146
Q

Where is the coldest place on earth?

A

antarctica

147
Q

why are polar climates so cold?

A

low insolation
high albedo
high elevation

148
Q

what is a coreless winter?

A

no single cold period
multiple minimum winter

149
Q

what is an annual plant?

A

grows from a seed every year

150
Q

what is perennial mean?

A

stays alive year to year, most trees

151
Q

what are gymnosperms? angiosperms?

A

gymnosperm - conifers
angiosperm - flowering plant

Weather and climate (Geography 110) (1 decks)

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