Intro to the Atmosphere Flashcards
Condensation nuclei
(tiny particles) are needed to get a cloud drop to form (act as a surface for condensation)
Saturation
is an equilibrium condition in which for each molecule that evaporates, one condenses – When the air is saturated, it is containing the max possible amount of water vapor
Dew point
is the temperature at which saturation occurs; if we cool air parcel to dew point, liquid water condenses; dew point indicates the amount of water vapor
Relative Humidity
is the ratio of how much water vapor you currently have to how much the air can hold at saturation (expressed as a %); indicates how close to saturation; NOT a good measure of actual water vapor content!
Cirro
cirro = high, wispy
Alto
alto = mid level
Cumulus
cumulus = low base, grows tall
Nimbo
nimbo = indicates rain cloud
Strato
strato = low, sheet-like
Wind
horizontal mov’t of air that arises from differences in air pressure
Cyclone
low-pressure system, rising air, bad weather
Anticyclone
high-pressure system, sinking air, good weather
Wind Shear
changes in wind speed and/or direction with height
Air Mass
a large region of the lower troposphere that has relatively uniform temperature and moisture content
A
Arctic air masses found over the North Pole
P
Polar air masses found at high latitudes
T
Tropical air masses found near equator
m
maritime air masses develop above oceans (wetter)
c
continental (dry) air masses form over continents
cA
Continental Arctic: forms over permanent snow or sea ice. Extremely cold, dry air that may move south.
cP
Continental Polar: forms over northernmost portions of N. America, Europe, and Asia. Cold and dry but not as cold as cA masses
cT
Continental Tropical: forms over continental interiors. Hot, dry air that is modified as it moves east or north. Summer only in US
mP
Maritime Polar: form in the N. Atlantic and Pacific and Southern Oceans. Cool, moist air that affects NE and NW states in the states in the US. Warmer than cP air. Brings rains to the coasts of Washinton, Oregon, and snows to the inland mountains
mT
Maritime Tropical: move inland from the tropical Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and tropical Atlantic Ocean. Hot and humid (brings to SE states)
Infrared Images
shows wavelengths clouds are radiating
Satellites visible
shows sunlight reflected from clouds
Radar
looks at return echo to determine radiation; brightness of return echo = amount/intensity of rain
Doppler Radar
measures horizontal velocity (speed and direction) of rain
Advisory
potential for hazardous conditions
Watch
atmospheric conditions present for hazardous conditions; time and exact location unknown (ingredients for cupcake)
Warning
Imminent or occuring (cupcake)
