GEO_Vocab_GP4_Severe Weather_Feb_13

Question 1

thunder

Answer 1

sound waves caused when lightning strikes releasing energy which causes air to expand rapidly moving faster that the speed of sound

Question 2

tropical cyclone

Answer 2

a large rotating tropical weather system with wind speeds of at least 119 km/hr.

Question 3

thunderstorms

Answer 3

localized intense weather systems that produce thunder, lightning, strong winds and rains. Occur when warm moist air rises quickly, frequently along cold fronts, and creates cumulonimbus clouds.

Question 3

taiga (Boreal Forest)

Answer 3

are found just south of the tundra. This area experiences long cold winters an short warm summers. Conifer forests and little else grow here.

Question 4

monsoon

Answer 4

a wind reversal which causes changes in air pressure and precipitation in a particular area.

Question 4

Mediterranean climates (Chaparral)

Answer 4

cool wet winters and hot dry summers. Plants are mainly drought resistant evergreen shrubs.

Question 5

climate

Answer 5

average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time. Primarily determined by temperature and precipitation

Question 7

tornado

Answer 7

a small rotating column of air that has high wind speeds and low central pressure that touches the ground

Question 9

biome

Answer 9

a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and the plants and animals that live there

Question 10

tundra

Answer 10

a dry environment with long cold winters and short cool summers. The top layer of soil freezes during the winter and thaws during the summer and beneath this layer is constantly frozen permafrost.

Question 11

lightning

Answer 11

large electrical discharge between two oppositely charged surfaces

Question 12

severe weather

Answer 12

weather which causes property damage or harm to people.

Question 13

temperate forests

Answer 13

experience four seasons with warm summers, and cold winters, and high precipitation. Some are deciduous while others are coniferous.