Meteorology Flashcards
What is a front?
The boundary between 2 air masses.
What is a cold front and what kind of weather might you expect?
A cold front is a boundary that separates a mass of cold air from a warmer air mass. It typically results in abrupt changes in weather conditions such as strong winds, precipitation, and temperature drops.
What kind of weather is associated with cold fronts?
- Thunderstorms
- Rain showers
- Hail
- Tornadoes
What is a warm front and what kind of weather might you expect?
A warm front is a transition zone where a warm air mass advances and replaces a cooler air mass, producing gradual changes in weather conditions.
What kind of weather is associated with warm fronts?
- Steady precipitation
- Rain
- Snow
- Stratiform clouds
What is an occluded front?
An occluded front occurs when a fast-moving cold front overtakes a slower-moving warm front, creating a complex weather system.
What weather conditions can occluded fronts bring?
- Precipitation
- Clouds
- Thunderstorms
What is a stationary front?
A stationary front occurs when two air masses meet but neither is strong enough to displace the other, leading to prolonged periods of cloudy weather.
What is a dry line?
A boundary that separates a warm, dry air mass from a warm, moist air mass, often triggering thunderstorms.
What is a TROF?
Trough – an elongated line of low pressure.
What is a RIDGE?
An elongated area of high pressure.
What does ISA mean?
International Standard Atmosphere.
What is the standard temperature lapse rate?
-2 degrees/1,000 feet elevation gain.
What is RVR?
Runway Visual Range, used when visibility is 1/2 mile or less, expressed in feet.
What is an isobar?
An equal line of pressure.
What happens if isobars are closely spaced together?
This indicates a tight pressure gradient causing high and gusting winds.
What is an isotherm?
An equal line of temperature.
What is an isotach?
An equal line of wind speed.
What is the primary cause of weather on Earth?
The uneven heating of the atmosphere by the Sun.
What is the Coriolis effect?
A phenomenon causing moving objects to appear to curve due to Earth’s rotation.
What is High Pressure in weather terms?
An area where atmospheric pressure is relatively higher, associated with clear skies and stable weather.
What is low pressure in weather terms?
An area where atmospheric pressure is relatively lower, associated with rising air and unsettled weather.
What part of the atmosphere does most weather occur?
Within the troposphere.
Where is the Earth’s atmosphere thickest?
Near the equator.
