Final Exam Flashcards
What are the main characteristics of a tropical cyclone?
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
What are the requirements for tropical cyclone development?
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
What are the different hierarchies for tropical cyclones?
tropical depression - >20 knots
tropical storm - >35 knots
hurricane - >65 knots or 74 mph
What happens when a tropical cyclone becomes a tropical storm?
a name is assigned
names are in alphabetical order, alternating female and male names
what is a storm surge?
high water is driven by low pressure
wind effect is magnified by the forward motion of the storm on the right-front quarter
Define weather
atmospheric conditions at a given time in a specific location
define climate
accumulated and averaged weather patterns of a locality or region; the full description is based in longterm statistics and includes extremes or deviations
define a climate classification system
a method for determining categories of climate types based on climatic weather data and characteristics
define a climate region
a region defined by the similarity of climatic conditions in the area within its boundaries
what is the purpose of classification?
arranging something into “like” groups
Why do we classify things?
create order
easier to understand, learn, and to teach
a good way to compare and contrast
allows mapping
Explain the ancient greek climate classification
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
What do modern climate classifications use?
temperature data
precipitation data
longterm records
seasonal and annual statistical calculations
extreme events
many generalizations
variations are likely to occur across a climate region, true or false
true
what is the most widely used climate classification system?
the köppen system
what is the köppen system based on?
regional temperature and precipitation patterns
what are the advantages to the köppen system?
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
what are the disadvantages of the köppen system?
considers only average monthly temperature and precipitation
ignores wind, cloud cover, precipitation intensity, and daily temperature extremes
What are the six major climate zones?
A - humid tropical
B - arid and semi-arid
C - humid mesothermal
D - humid microthermal
E - polar
H - highland
what four climate zones are based on temperature characteristics and have adequate annual moisture?
A, C, D, and E
What do the second letters indicate?
precipitation conditions
What do the thrid letters indicate?
temperature conditions
What are the 4 second letters used with A, C, and D climate zones?
f - wet year round
m - monsoon
w - winter dry
s - summer dry
what are the 4 thrid letters used with A, C, and D climate zones?
a - hot summer
b - warm summer
c - mild summer
d - cold winter
what are the two main types of B climates?
BS - steppe
BW - desert
what are the 2 third letters used with B climates?
h - hot
k - cold
What are the 2 second letters used with E climates?
T - tundra
F - ice sheet
what are the main characteristics of A climates?
high temperature year round
near equator
no winter season
what are the 3 A climate types?
Af - tropical rainforest
Am - tropical monsoon
Aw - dry “winter” tropical savanna
what are the main characteristics of B climates?
year round moisture deficiency
precipitation received is less than potential evapotranspiration
15° N/S to 30° N/S
subtropical high
what are the two types of B climates?
BS - steppe
BW - desert
what are the main characteristics of C climates?
mild winter
Tmin > 0 C
snow is possible in some places, but usually melts off fast
what are the three main types of C climates?
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
what are the main characteristics of D climates?
severe winters with at least month averaging below freezing
Tmin < 0 C
what are the three main types of D climates?
Dfa/Dwa - hot summer
Dfb/Dwb - mild summer
Dfc/Dwc/Dfd/Dwd - subartic
what are the main characteristics of E climates?
no month has an average temperature exceeding 10 C`
what are the two types of E climates?
ET - tundra, summer thaw
EF - ice sheet, below freezing all year
what are the main characteristics of H climates?
can change air mass movements
create abrupt climate divides
microclimates related to elevation, clouds, and exposure
leeward side is drier
What are climographs?
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
what is an ecosystem?
a community of organisms and their physical environment (including soils, topography, streams, wetlands, etc.)
what two categories do ecosystems consist of
biotic and abiotic elements
what are biotic elements?
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
what are abiotic elements?
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
what is a biome?
a collection of broadly similar types of plants and animals in a geographical area
what are biomes a primary function of?
climate
climate determines what kind of organisms can live in an area, true or false
true
what are the four main biome types?
forests
grassland
desert
arctic and alpine tundra
describe forests
associated with large woody perennial tree species
height of trees forms a closed canopy
exist only where there is a net moisture balance
what is a net moisture balance?
where moisture availability exceeds potential evapotranspiration
what are some examples of tropical forests?
tropical rainforest
monsoon rainforest
thornbush and scrub forest
what are some examples of midlatitude forests?
Mediterranean sclerophyllous woodland
broadleaf deciduous forest
broadleaf evergreen forest
mixed forest
coniferous forest
describe grasslands
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
what would you most likely find in deserts?
xerophytic adaptations for plants
what are some examples of xerophytic adaptations?
deep roots
small leaves
waxy leaves
deciduous
rapid germination and flowering
water storage
hairs or spines
shallow roots
CAM and C4 metabolic pathways
when would plants have deep roots? shallow roots?
deep - there is deep soil moisture/groundwater
shallow - deep water does not exist
what is the difference among A climates?
annual totals of precipitation and seasonal distribution of precipitation
what are the characteristics for an Af climate?
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
what are the climate controls for Af climate?
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
what vegetation is linked with Af climates?
tropical rainforest biome
what are the characteristics for Am climates?
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
what are the climate controls for Am climates?
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
what is the difference of summer and winter winds in an Am climate?
summer winds are onshore
winter winds are offshore
what vegetation is linked with Am climates?
monsoon forest biome grading to thorn and scrub forest
________ varies more in Am climates than Af climates
temperature
when are temperatures the highest in Am climates?
just before monsoon rains
Am climates are _________ climates which means they are at the edges of Af, why?
transitional
enough precipitation to support monsoon rainforest
length of dry season varies place to place
monsoon rainforests are more simple versions of _______
tropical rainforest
what are the characteristics of a Aw climate?
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
what are the climate controls for Aw climates?
higher tropical latitudes
seasonally high sun angles
seasonal day length
seasonal shifting of ITCZ w/ directly overhead sun
trade winds shift pressure belts
what influences the low-sun dry season in Aw climates?
subtropical high pressure
what influences the high-sun wet season in Aw climates?
ITCZ
what A climate has the highest temperature range?
Aw
The average rainfall totals are very variable in Aw climates and can depend on proximity to what other climate?
Af
What A climate is a transitional climate to the semi-arid and arid B climates?
Aw
what vegetation is linked to Aw climates?
tropical grasslands (savanna) biome
thornbush and scrub forests
occasional umbrella trees
low deciduous trees
what are umbrella trees?
low trees with a broad crown
what are arid climates based on?
precipitation effectiveness
what does precipitation effectiveness take into account?
the potential water loss by evaporation and transpiration (PET) during the year
what is the difference between precipitation that falls in warmer and cooler seasons?
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
what is the point of reference for whether a climate is considered arid or not?
annual precipitation compared to PET
What is the comparison between annual precipitation and PET in a BS climate?
a steppe (BS) climate gets less precipitation than PET, but more than 1/2 PET
what is the comparison between annual precipitation asn PET in a BW climate?
a desert (BW) climate gets less precipitation than 1/2 PET
The third letter for B climates is what?
h - low latitudes, Tannual > 18C
k - high latitudes, Tannual <18C
what are causes of aridity?
STH (15°-30° latitude)
deep moisture from source, continental interiors
coast with cold current
rainshadow
what are the controlling factors for low latitude deserts?
subtropical high pressure
greatest stability along west coasts - upwelling, cold ocean current
Give examples of rainshadow deserts
patagonia
great basin
taklamakan
gobi
give examples of continental interiors in the northern hemisphere
gobi
taklanakan
turkestan
give examples of STH deserts
sahara
arabian
thar
atacama
australian
mojave
give examples of cold currect west coast deserts
western sahara
namib
atacama
western australia
baja california
why is the desert sometimes called the land of extremes?
low precipitation
high insolation received and low humidity
relatively high annual and diurnal temp range
high variability of precipitation
what is there a dangerous appeal to steppe climates?
agriculture
dry cycles
1930s dust bowl
all C climates experience seasonality of _______
temperature
what type of winter do C climates have?
mild but cool winter
the average temp of the coldest month is still at or above freezing
Tmin >0 C
what type of summer do C climates have?
distinct, long summer
warmest months average temp is above 10 C
Tmax >10 C
what are the characteristics of a Cwa/Cwb climate?
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
what are the characteristics of a Mediterranean (Csa/Csb) climate?
associated with subtropical west coasts
advection fog along coast
frost possible, but mild winter
dry summers and wet winters
what is the difference between Csa and Csb?
Csa - inland, hot summer
Csb - coastal, mild summer from marine influence
what are the climate controls for Mediterranean climates in summer and winter?
warm, dry summers - STH and cool ocean surface
moist winters - polar front cycles
why do Mediterranean climates have a dry summer?
weak polar front jet/no midlatitude cyclones
strong subtropical high pressure
why do Mediterranean climates have wet winters?
strong polar front jet/lots of midlatitude cyclones
weak STH influence
what are some of the mediterranean vegetation characteristics?
long frost-free period
adapted to summer drought
sclerophyllous - thick evergreen leaves
fire adapted
what are some fire adaptations for plants?
plants grow back from roots
thick bark
what is the name for the scrub woodland in the Mediterranean climates?
chaparral
what are some characteristics for humid subtropical climates (Cfa)?
subtropical east coasts and inland locations between 20°-40° N/S
wet year round
annual temp range is moderate
how are Cfa climates wet year round?
summer - convection
winter - cyclones from polar front
what type of summer and winter do Cfa climates have?
hot summer
mild winter
what is the summer pattern in Cfa climates?
convectional precipitation
ex. influx of humid, unstable maritime tropical air during the summer fuels convective thunder-storms across the southeastern US during summer months
what is the winter pattern in Cfa climates?
midlatitude cyclonic precipitation
midlatitude cyclones provide the lifting mechanism for winter precipitation. moisture still comes from maritime tropical air of of warm oceans
why are Cfa climates productive?
abundant rainfall
high temperatures
long growing season
soils have limited fertility
why do soils is Cfa climates have limited fertility?
rapid decomposition and leaching of nutrients due to high precipitation
what type of vegetation is linked with Cfa climates?
temperate forest biome
deciduous and evergreen
mixed broadleaf and needle-leaf
what are the characteristics of a marine west coast climate (Cfb/Cfc)?
associated with middle to high latitude west coasts
mild moist summers
moist winters
freezing snow, but mild winter
what are the climate controls for marine west coast climates in summer in winter, that it is wet year round?
summer - cool ocean surface and polar front cyclones
winter - polar front cyclones
what are the marine west coast influences?
abundant source of moisture
maritime
frost and snow occur regularly
what accounts for the abundant source of moisture in marine west coast climates?
in the westerlies on west coasts
what influence does maritime have on marine west coast climates?
small diurnal and annual temperature range
why do frost and snow occur regularly in marine west coast climates?
high latitude
why is there a slight dryness in marine west coast climates in the summer?
weak polar front jet and cyclones
strong subtropical high pressure
higher latitudes experience less dryness in summer
why do marine west coast climates have wet winters?
the polar front jet is further south
weak STH influence
strong polar front jet/lots of midlatitude cyclones
what can be said about all D climates?
warmest month is above 10 C
coldest month is below freezing
large temperature range
what kind of summer and winter do D climates have?
warm or hot summers
cold and snowy winters
what are the locational attributes for D climates?
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
what are the main characteristics of Dfa/Dwa climates?
warmest month is above 10 C
coldest month below freezing
precipitation all year except Asia (dry winter, Dw)
what is the summer pattern in Dfa/Dwa climates?
thunderstorms and weak midlatitude cyclones, and lost of hot, humid weather
moisture comes from the gulf of mexico and the atlantic ocean
what is the winter pattern in Dfa/Dwa climates?
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
What can be said about the seasons and agriculture in the Dfa climate?
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
what are some seasonal changes in Dfa/Dwa climates?
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
what are the characteristics of a humid continental, mild summer (Dfb/Dwb) climate?
close similarity to humid continental, hot summer
more continental with severe winters
poleward of humid continental, hot summer
distinct seasonality
variable weather
What are the Dwb/Dfb climate locations?
are in vicinity of polar front all year
what causes precipitation in Dfb/Dwb climates?
precipitation is caused by midlatitude cyclones all year and a fair amount of convectional thunderstorms in the summer
which has less precipitation Dfa/Dwa or Dfb/Dwb, why?
Dfb/Dwb
colder and further from moisture sources
Dfa/Dwa have shorter summers than Dfb/Dwb because of less convection, true or false
false
Dfb/Dwb have shorter summers
Dfb/Dwb have colder winters than Dfa/Dwa because of short days, low sun angles, and high continentality, true or false
true
Dfb/Dwb have greater snow accumulations that Dfa/Dwa, true or false
true
what are the subarctic climates?
Dfc
Dwc
Dfd
Dwd
what are the characteristics of subarctic climates?
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
why do subarctic climates have limited precipitation?
occasional passage of cyclones
polar high and cold air limit precipitation
what do subarctic climograph indicate?
effects of high latitude and continentality
severe winters
seasonal extremes
largest annual temperature range on earth
Plants and animals in subarctic climates have low ______
NPP - net primary productivity
subarctic climates have a long growing season, true or false
false
they have a short growing season
what type of forest may you find in subarctice climates?
taigia - boreal forest
what is permafrost? characteristics?
permanently frozen ground
varies in thickness and is often discontinuous
freeze/thaw cycle
patterned ground (frost polygons)
little to no agriculture
what are some characteristics of E climates?
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
what are some characteristics of Tundra (ET) climates?
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
What are some characteristics of ice cap (EF) climates?
Tmax < 0 C
no monthly average above freezing
extremely low precipitation due to cold air and dominating high pressure
Where is the coldest place on earth?
antarctica
why are polar climates so cold?
low insolation
high albedo
high elevation
what is a coreless winter?
no single cold period
multiple minimum winter
what is an annual plant?
grows from a seed every year
what is perennial mean?
stays alive year to year, most trees
what are gymnosperms? angiosperms?
gymnosperm - conifers
angiosperm - flowering plant
