Meteorology Flashcards
Meteorology Weather vs Climate Atmospheric Layers Uneven heating of the Earth summary/effects Air Masses Global Wind Systems: Coriolis Effect, Polar Easterlies, Prevailing Westerlies, Trade Winds (Horse latitudes and Intertropical Convergence Zones) Jet Streams Fronts Pressure Systems . Gathering Weather Data (temperature and air pressure, wind speed and humidity, and automated surface observing system) Data from Upper Atmosphere Weather Oberservation Systems (weather radar, d
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average of weather patterns over a significant period.
List the layers of the atmosphere.
- Troposphere
- Stratosphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
- Exosphere
What is the effect of uneven heating of the Earth?
It leads to variations in temperature and pressure, causing wind and weather patterns.
Define air masses.
Large bodies of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.
What are the global wind systems?
- Coriolis Effect
- Polar Easterlies
- Prevailing Westerlies
- Trade Winds
What are the horse latitudes?
Areas of high pressure located around 30 degrees latitude where trade winds converge.
What is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?
A region near the equator where trade winds from both hemispheres meet, leading to frequent thunderstorms.
What are jet streams?
Fast flowing air currents in the upper atmosphere that influence weather patterns.
What are fronts?
Boundaries between two different air masses that can cause weather changes.
What are pressure systems?
Regions of high or low atmospheric pressure that affect weather conditions.
What factors are included in gathering weather data?
- Temperature
- Air pressure
- Wind speed
- Humidity
What is the purpose of an automated surface observing system?
To collect real-time meteorological data such as temperature and humidity.
What type of data is collected from the upper atmosphere?
Information on temperature, pressure, and wind patterns at high altitudes.
What are weather observation systems?
- Weather radar
- Doppler effect radar
- Weather satellites
- Infrared imagery
- Visible light imagery
- Water vapor imagery
What is surface weather analysis?
The process of interpreting weather data from the Earth’s surface to assess current conditions.
What are the types of forecasts?
- Short-Term Forecasts
- Long-Term Forecasts
What is the focus of short-term forecasts?
Weather predictions for the next few hours to a couple of days.
What is the focus of long-term forecasts?
Weather predictions extending from several days to weeks or months ahead.
