Fundamentals of Weather Flashcards
What is the jet stream?
Narrow, high-speed, meandering river of wind, usually west to east
What speeds does the jet stream have?
Summer 30-100 knots
Winter 100-200 knots
What is the freezing level?
Altitude where temperature is 0 Centigrade
What is a temperature inversion?
When temperature increases with altitude
Does warmer or colder air hold more moisture?
Warmer air holds more moisture
What is a dew point?
Temperature at which air would become saturated by water vapor already in air
What is a convective current?
Air movements (usually vertical) caused by uneven heating of Earth’s surface
What causes wind?
Flow of air from high pressure to low pressure
Which has better flying conditions, high or low pressure?
High pressure - denser air, less precipitation
What is a weather front?
Interface between two air masses of different temperatures
Name and identify 4 types of fronts
Cold front - advancing cold air mass
Warm front - advancing warm air mass
Stationary front - little or no movement
Occluded front - cold air overtaking warm air
What 2 elements are common with fronts?
Wind changes, Pressure changes
What does nimbo or nimbus type cloud mean?
Precipitation cloud
What are the high feathery clouds called?
Cirrus
What is dangerous about Stratus and Nimbostratus clouds?
Hazardous icing conditions
