Meteorology Flashcards
Define Barometric pressure
The amount of air pressure exerted by a column of air above the measuring point
Surface pressure varies with temparature
What is the mean atmospheric pressure?
1013 hPa (millibars)
Define Stable air
An air parcel that is cooler than the surrounding atmosphere will sink as the cool air is less dense than the warm air
This creates a stable air parcle as it does not continue to rise and create precipitation etc
Define Un stable air
An air parcel that is warmer than the surrounding atmosphere will continue to rise as cold air is denser than warm air
This produces clouds and rain
Explain the Coriolis effect
The speed of the Earths rotation is seen to be faster at the equator than at higher latitudes, due to the Earths circumference.
As the Earth rotates in an E’ly direction, Air masses moving towards the poles are seen to be deflected to the Right in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Left in the Southern Hemisphere, seemingly overtaking the Earths surface
Backing
When winds are deflected in an anti clockwise direction they are described as backing
Veering
When winds are deflected in a clockwise direction they are described to be Veering
Northern hemisphere direction of wind rotation in pressure systems
Low pressure systems rotate in an anti clockwise direction
High pressure in a clockwise direction
Southern Hemisphere direction of wind rotation in pressure systems
Low pressure systems rotate in a clockwise direction
High pressure in an anti clock wise direction
What are the four factors that help to determine local wind strength and direction
- Geographical Location
- Proximity of areas of high and low pressure systems
- Pressure Force Gradient between areas of high and low pressure systems
- The proximity of land masses
Clouds form due to these four factors
- Ascent in convection currents
- Uplifting at a front
- Air being forced over high ground (ornographic Cloud formation)
- Radiation cooling
- Turbulence Mixing
Define Dew Point
The atmospheric temperature (varying with pressure and Humidity) below which the air becomes saturated, water droplets begin to condense and Water droplets that we can see (clouds), and dew begins to form
Define Relative Humidity
The amount of water vapour present in the air expressed as a % of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature
(the amount of water vapour an air parcel can hold)
Relative Humidity Formula
Actual vapour density / Saturation vapour density x 100
How is Advection fog Formed
Warm moist air being transported over cold Sea surface or ocean currents
Most commonly in spring and early summer when the ocean temperatures are at their lowest
Where is Advection fog most commonly found
In areas where the prevailing winds transport warm moist air over areas of cold water or over the major cold ocean currents
Polar regions in summer
Grand banks of Newfoundland (Labrador current)
NW Pacific Ocean (Kamchatka current)
Cold ocean currents off the Western seaboards of continents lying within the trade wind belts (California, Chile, Peru, SW Africa, Morocco)
British isles