Geography weather and climate Flashcards
What is the definition of weather
Weather describes the conditions right here, right now. This can change on an hourly basis
What is the definition of climate
Climate is the average weather conditions within a particular area or region in general, for a longer period of time.
What is temperature?
Exactly how hot or cold it is ( degrees Celsius )
What is air pressure?
The force pressing down on us because of the weight of the air. If air pressure is rising it means air is sinking and vice versa (mb)
What is cloud cover?
The amount of sky covered by clouds ( oktas)
What is sunshine hours?
The amount of time the sun shines ( hours )
What is wind speed?
How fast the wind is blowing (mph)
What is precipitation?
Water falling from the sky in any form (mm)
What is wind direction?
The direction the wind is blowing ( N, NW, W, SW, S , SE, E , NE )
What is visibility?
How far ahead we can see - eg. when there is fog ( in meters of kilometres )
How do you measure wind speed?
Using an anemometer - It looks like a toy windmill. The stronger the wind blows, the faster the cups spin around.
How do you measure wind direction?
A wind vane or wind sock- it positions North East South or West depending on the direction the wind is going.
How do you measure precipitation?
Rain gauge Using a measuring cylinder - It catches rainfall. It also catches other types of precipitation.
How do you measure sunshine hours?
Sunshine recorder- a glass ball that directs sunlight onto a card (treated with a special chemical). The sunlight burns a mark onto the card.
How do you measure temperature?
A Stevenson screen - A thermometer is put inside of a white box. It is white because white reflects heat. It has shutter doors because air needs to circulate. It is raised off of the ground so that it doesn’t measure the ground’s heat. In the Northern hemisphere it faces South because it is hotter. The box shields the instruments.
