Midterm Study Flashcards

1
Q

Weather

A

State of the atmosphere at some place in time

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2
Q

What goes into weather?

A

Temperature, humidity, cloudiness

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3
Q

Meteorology

A

study of weather

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4
Q

NOAA Weather Radio

A

Continuous weather broadcasts

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5
Q

Climate

A

Weather conditions at some degree averaged over a specfied time period, typically 30 years

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6
Q

Time Zones

A

Measured east / west of the prime meridian

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7
Q

UTC or Z-Time

A

Based on Atomic clock, and expressed over 24 hrs.

No daylight savings time.

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8
Q

Pressure system

A

Features of atmospheric circulation, usually depicted as high or low.

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9
Q

High Pressure System

A

Anti-cyclones.

Always fair weathered, clockwise air rotation, outward (NH)

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10
Q

Low Pressure System

A

Cyclones

Wet weather, counterclockwise rotation, INWARD.

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11
Q

Air Mass

A

Huge volumes of air that cover hundreds of thousands of km2.

Gathers characteristics from the source region, such as temperature and humidity.

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12
Q

Cold Dry AirMass

A

Higher latitudes, continental

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13
Q

Cold Humid Air Mass

A

Higher latitudes, maritime surfaces

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14
Q

Warm Dry Air Masses

A

Over continents in subtropical regions

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15
Q

Warm Humid Air Masses

A

Near the equator or in the subtropics over maritime surfaces

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16
Q

Polar Air Masses

A

Colder in winter, milder in summer

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17
Q

Tropical Air Masses

A

Less seasonal variation due to uniform sunlight

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18
Q

How are air masses determined?

A

Take characteristics of the areas they pass over

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19
Q

Weather Front

A

Zone of transition between air masses of density, temperature, humidity, etc.

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20
Q

How do fronts work?

A

Three dimensional. Where the front intersects the Earth’s surface is shown with the symbols.

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21
Q

Warm Front

A

Clouds and precipitation occur over a wide band

may occur for 12-24 hrs with light precipitation

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22
Q

Cold Front

A

Narrow band
Heavy precipitation
Minutes to hours

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23
Q

How does wind affect weather fronts?

A

Wind directions are different on two different sides of a front.

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24
Q

How do weather systems affect coastal areas?

A

Lake / seas have lower summer temperatures

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25
Q

Maximum temperature

A

Happens early to mid afternoon.

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26
Q

Minimum temperature

A

Occurs around sunrise.

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27
Q

Dewpoint

A

Temperature when air is cooled at constant pressure so that it is saturated with water vapor and dew forms.

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28
Q

Relative Humidity

A

Compares the amount of water vapor in the air currently with the amount of water vapor in the SAME AIR if it were fully saturated.

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29
Q

How does RH change?

A

Through the day as temperature varies.

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30
Q

When is relative humidity the highest?

A

Around sunrise

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31
Q

When is relative humidity the lowest?

A

The warmest, so mid afternoon.

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32
Q

Air Pressure

A

Cumulative force exerted on any surface by the molecules composing the air. Expressed as the weight of a column of air per unit surface area.

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33
Q

Air Pressure Gradient

A

Change in air pressure over distance. Causes wind.

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34
Q

Wind direction

A

Direction the wind blows FROM.

West winds blow west TO east

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35
Q

Sky Cover

A

Fraction of sky covered with clouds

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36
Q

Weather watch

A

Issued by the National Weather Service when hazardous weather is possible.

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37
Q

Weather warning

A

Issued by NWS when hazardous weather is happening / imminent.

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38
Q

Geostationary imagery

A

High orbits, and orbits the planet at the same rate of Earth’s rotation.

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39
Q

Polar orbits

A

Low orbits, provides overlapping strips of images. Passes over the same point twice every 24 hrs.

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40
Q

Visible satellite image

A

BW, available during daylight. Reflective surfaces appear bright white.

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41
Q

Infrared satellite

A

Any time, provides temperature comparisons. Higher cloudtops appear whiter because they’re colder

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42
Q

Water vapor satellite image

A

Tracks down plumes of moisture, where whiter masses have increased moisture.

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43
Q

Cloud

A

Aggregates of tiny water droplets and ice crystals.

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44
Q

Atmosphere

A

Layer of gases and suspended particles enveloping the globe

Half of the mass is found within 5.5k of the Earth’s surface

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45
Q

Nebulae

A

Rotating interstellar clouds of dust, made of helium and hydrogen

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46
Q

Outgassing

A

Release of gas from molten rock / volcanic activity. Mainly CO2 , N2 and Water Vapor.

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47
Q

Carbonic Acid

A

Combination of rainwater in CO2.

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48
Q

Most abundant gas in the atmosphere

A

N2

then O2

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49
Q

Homosphere

A

Lower atmosphere

Circulates and maintains the ratios of gasses

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50
Q

Heterosphere

A

Upper atmosphere, results in layers of gas.

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51
Q

Oxygen and atmosphere stratification

A

O2 in Homosphere,
O in heterosphere
Split up by UV radiation

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52
Q

Aerosols

A

Liquid and solid particles

Can be from wind erosion, ocean spray, smoke, etc.

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53
Q

Water vapor

A

Occurs in the lowest 1km of the atmosphere. Necessary for clouds and precipitation

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54
Q

Carbon Dioxide

A

Required for life. Keeps the lower atmosphere warm, and can absorb IR radiation.

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55
Q

Air Pollution

A

Gas or aerosol that occurs at a concentration that can threaten the well being of organisms. Most are human made, but some are natural.

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56
Q

Primary Air Pollutant

A

Harmful immediately as emitted.

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57
Q

Secondary Air Pollutant

A

Harmful after combination with one or more substances

Photochemical smog

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58
Q

EPA’s standards for the 6 Air Pollutants

A

CO, Pb, O3, NO, Particulates, and SO2

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59
Q

Primary Air Quality

A

Maximum exposure levels humans can tolerate without effects

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60
Q

Secondary Air Quality

A

Maximum exposure levels able to minimize the impact on crops, visibility, etc.

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61
Q

Attainment areas

A

Geographic areas where standards are met, or below.

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62
Q

Non-attainment areas

A

Geographic areas where the primary standard is not met.

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63
Q

Conceptual model

A

Statement of a fundamental law.

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64
Q

Graphical model

A

Compiles and displays data in a format that conveys meaning, like a weather map.

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65
Q

Physical model

A

Miniaturized version of a system, such as a tornado vortex chamber

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66
Q

Numerical system

A

Mathematical equations help represent relationships among system variables.

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67
Q

Errors with models

A

Missing data

Accuract

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68
Q

ASOS

A

Automated Surface Observing System
Consists of sensors, computers, fully automated communication ports
Feeds data to NWS

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69
Q

Advection

A

Transferring one windmass to another place.

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70
Q

Mesoscale

A

More localized weather.

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71
Q

Synoptic scale

A

Wider in time and area.

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72
Q

Law of Energy Conservation

A

All solar radiation is connected 100%.

% Radiation Absorbed + % scattered + % transmitted = 100%.

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73
Q

Scattering

A

Small particles in the atmosphere are light or wavelength dependent. You cannot see air molecules, but these molecules scatter blue light.

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74
Q

Why are clouds white?

A

Clouds are large particles, and scatter all light.

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75
Q

Reflection

A

Special case of scattering.

Changes in direction of the wavelength as it hits the medium.

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76
Q

Albedo

A

Reflected sunlight off of a surface

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77
Q

How does albedo work?

A

The lighter the surface, the higher the albedo. Changes based on solar altitude.

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78
Q

When you have high albedo..

A

High reflection

Low Absorption

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79
Q

When you have low albedo..

A

Low reflection

High Absorption

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80
Q

How much does Earth scatter?

A

~30%

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81
Q

Greenhouse Effect

A

Heating of the earth’s surface and lower atmosphere by the strong absorption of IR from GH gases.

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82
Q

How does the Greenhouse effect work?

A

Allows shortwave radiation to pass through, emits IR radiation, being trapped and warms the greenhouse

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83
Q

Atmospheric Window

A

Radiation can pass into space with no absorption by the atmosphere

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84
Q

Absorption

A

Converts radiation to heat energy.

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85
Q

Ozone Shield

A

Steady decline in stratospheric ozone

Depletion happens over Antarctica every spring because of the increase in sunlight.

86
Q

How does the ozone layer affect human health?

A

Less ozone, more UV, more cancer

87
Q

Creation of ozone

A

UV radiation hits Oxygen
Creates two free oxygen atoms
Those collide with other molecules of O2 to create O3

88
Q

Destruction of ozone

A

Ozone absorbs UV radiation
Splits into one free O atom and a molecule of Oxygen
Free atom collides with ozone to created two molecules of oxygen

89
Q

CFC

A

Chlorofluorocarbons

Chemicals that deplete the ozone layer, banned in 1979 with the Montreal Protocol

90
Q

Callendar Effect

A

Climate change can be brought by anthropocentric sources and increased CO2

91
Q

Fossil Fuels

A

Approximately 75% of CO2 increases, 40% higher than pre-industrial era

92
Q

Major causes of CO2 Increase

A

Rice farms, landfills, coal mining, etc

93
Q

Pyranometer

A

Intensity of solar radiation that strikes a horizontal surface

94
Q

Infrared radiometer

A

Instrument that measures the intensity of IR radiation emitted by the surface of some object such as land

95
Q

Temperature

A

Average kinetic energy of atoms composing a substance

96
Q

Internal Energy

A

Encompasses all energy in a substance (Kinetic + Potential)

97
Q

Heat

A

Energy in transit. Energy moves from warmer to colder.

98
Q

Absolute Zero

A

Theoretical temperature at which all molecular motion stops.

99
Q

Calorie

A

Amount of heat required to raise temp 1g of water 1C degree.

100
Q

Joule

A

Commonly used in meteorology

101
Q

BTU

A

British Thermal Units

Amount of energy required to raise one pound of water one F degree.

102
Q

Liquid in Glass thermometer

A

Mercury or Alcohol

103
Q

Temperature gradient

A

Change in temperature over distance

104
Q

2nd Law of Thermodynamics

A

Heat flows in response to a temperature gradient

105
Q

Radiational heating

A

Absorption is greater than emission

106
Q

Radiational cooling

A

Emission is greater than absorption

107
Q

Conduction heating

A

Transfer of kinetic energy of atoms or molecules between neighboring atoms or molecules.

108
Q

Material conductivity

A

Some materials are better at conducting heat than others.

109
Q

Sensible heating

A

Conduction + Convection. Heating you can feel.

110
Q

Convection

A

transport of heat within a fluid

111
Q

Latent Heat

A

Heat given off from phase changes in water. Hidden and cant be tracked.

112
Q

Melting

A

Solid to Liquid

113
Q

Freezing

A

Liquid to solid

114
Q

Sublimation

A

Solid to gas

115
Q

Deposition

A

Gas to solid

116
Q

Evaporation

A

Liquid to gas

117
Q

Condensation

A

Gas to liquid

118
Q

Thermal Inertia

A

Resistance to a change in temperature.

119
Q

Maritime temperature change

A

Less contrast between winter and summer temperatures

120
Q

Continental temperature change

A

Locations at the same latitude but well inland experience a greater contrast between winter and summer temperatures.

121
Q

Earth’s Surface + Temp

A

Experiences radiational heating

122
Q

Earth’s atmosphere + temp

A

Undergoes radiational cooling

123
Q

Bowen ratio

A

Describes how heat energy is received at the Earth’s surface is partitioned between sensible and latent heating

124
Q

Poleward heat

A

Heat transfer from the equator to the poles, done by air masses, storm systems, and ocean currents.

125
Q

Storms and Poleward Heat

A

Tropical storms and hurricanes are greater contributors to poleward heat transport than cyclones

126
Q

Heat Source

A

Surface is warmer than overlying air

127
Q

Heat sink

A

Surface is cooler than overlying air

128
Q

How is weather formed from heat transfer?

A

Imbalance of radiational heating / cooling

Heat distribution varies by season

129
Q

Soil and heating

A

Bare soil warms more rapidly than moist soil.

130
Q

Snow

A

High albedo, high reflection
Reduces sensible heating
Excellent IR emitter

131
Q

Advection

A

movement of one air mass to another

132
Q

Cold air advection

A

Horizontal movement of cold air to a warm area

133
Q

Warm air advection

A

Horizontal movement of warm air to a cold area

134
Q

Isotherm

A

Line of constant temperature

135
Q

Heat Island

A

City of warmth surrounded by cooler air

Temperature difference greater at night with light winds

136
Q

How do heat islands form?

A
Lack of moisture
Concentration of heat sources
Multiple reflections of sunlight
Building materials conduct heat
Low albedo
137
Q

How to beat a heat island

A

Green roof

Increase albedo with white paint

138
Q

Air pressure

A

Omnidirectional, exerts a force at all directions.

139
Q

Force

A

Mass x Acceleration (-9.8g/s)

140
Q

Dalton’s Law

A

All of the pressure exerted by an air mass is just a collection of the pressure from the COLLECTIVE gasses.

141
Q

Barometer

A

Measures air pressure and monitors changes

142
Q

Barograph

A

Barometer linked to a pen that records on a clock driven drum chart

143
Q

Pascal

A

Unit of pressure

Worldwide standard, and sea level is 101,325Pa

144
Q

Compression

A

Air is compressible.

145
Q

Density and Altitude

A

Density and pressure drop with altitude

146
Q

Horizontal vs Vertical variation

A

Horizontal variations are more important to meteorologists than vertical

147
Q

Air pressure and influences

A

Temperature has more of an effect on air pressure than humidity

148
Q

Hot Air Balloons

A

The air is heated, making it less dense, allowing the balloon to rise

149
Q

Which is more dense? Hot or cold air masses?

A

Cold air. Cold air can hold more moisture due to Avogadro’s Law

150
Q

Avogadro’s Law

A

At the same temperature and same pressure, air masses will have the same amount of molecules.

151
Q

Warm and humid (Density)

A

Least dense.

152
Q

Cold and dry (density)

A

Most dense.

153
Q

Converging winds

A

Blow towards an air column

154
Q

Diverging winds

A

Blow away from an air column

155
Q

Anticyclones and pressure

A

Area where pressure is HIGHER than surrounding air

Surface winds blow Clockwise and Outward

156
Q

Ideal gas law

A

Combination of Charles and Boyle’s Law

Pressure = Gas Constant x Density x Temperature

157
Q

Expansional Cooling and Compressional Warming

A

(ADIABATIC) Law of Energy Conservation
Transfer of heat TO the parcel, temp increase
Transfer of heat from the parcel, Temp decrease

158
Q

Adiabatic process

A

No heat is exchanged between an air mass and the environment.

159
Q

Dry adiabatic lapse rate

A

Any parcel that is not saturated with water vapor

160
Q

Atmospheric river

A

Band of concentrated water vapor transport. Responsible for the most horizontal flow of water.

161
Q

Pineapple Express

A

Originates near Hawaii, flows toward the Northeast and makes landfall along the California coast

162
Q

Water Vapor in the atmosphere

A

Most of it is in the troposphere

163
Q

Conservation of water

A

Water changes phases, but never increases or decreases

164
Q

Gravity and the water cycle

A

Gravity keeps the water from escaping to space

165
Q

Transpiration

A

Water taken up by plant

166
Q

Precipitation

A

Water that falls from the clouds to reach Earth

167
Q

Mixing ratio

A

Mass of water vapor per mass of the remaining dry air expressed as so many grams of water vapor per kilogram of dry air.

168
Q

Specific Humidity

A

Mass of water vapor per mass of air containing some vapor.

169
Q

Absolute humidity

A

Mass of vapor PER unit of humid air

170
Q

Saturation

A

Max amount of water an air parcel can hold

171
Q

Pressure gradient

A

Different air pressure over water and over ice

172
Q

Relative Humidity

A

Compares the amount of water vapor in the air with the amount of water vapor in the same air at saturation.

173
Q

Atmospheric stability

A

Enhances or suppresses vertical motion of air

174
Q

Stable air

A

Ascending parcel becomes cooler and more dense

Air stabilizes as it moves over cold surfaces

175
Q

Absolute instability

A

Air temp is dropping more rapidly with altitude than dry adiabatic lapse

176
Q

Conditional instability

A

Unstable for saturated, vice versa

177
Q

What causes air to rise?

A

Ascending branch off current

Surface winds converging

178
Q

Frontal Uplift

A

Contrasting air masses will meet

179
Q

Warm front

A

Leading edge of advancing warm air

Goes above cold air.

180
Q

Cold front

A

Leading edge of advancing cold air

181
Q

Orographic lifting

A
Lifted by topography
Expansional cooling (windward) and compressional warming (leeward)
182
Q

LCL

A

Lifting Condesnation Level

Altitude at which the rising air becomes saturated and clouds from

183
Q

Rain shadow

A

Dry conditions kilometers downward of prominent mountain ranges

184
Q

Contrails

A

Stream of ice crystals formed in the exhaust of jetcraft

185
Q

Cloud nucleus

A

Solid or liquid particles in the air

Essential for cloud formation

186
Q

Hygroscopic nuclei

A

Nuclei that have a chemical reaction for water molecules

187
Q

Cloud condensation nuclei

A

Promotes condensation at temperatures above and below freezing

188
Q

Ice-forming nuclei

A

Promotes ice crystal formation

189
Q

Deposition nuclei

A

Surfaces on which ice deposits directly from vapor

190
Q

Supercooled water

A

Fresh water cooled below freezing point and still remains liquid.

191
Q

Homogenous Nucleation

A

Ice embryos at a critical size

192
Q

Cirriform

A

Wispy, stringy clouds

193
Q

Stratiform

A

Layered clouds

194
Q

Cumuliform

A

Puffy clouds

195
Q

Altitude and cloud formation

A

Affects temperatures and composition

196
Q

Temperature and cloud formation

A
Warm cloud ( >32f)
Cold cloud (<32f)
197
Q

High clouds

A

All have the prefix cirro

Composed of ice crystals

198
Q

Middle clouds

A

Prefix of alto
Suprecooled water or ice
Flat and gray

199
Q

Low clouds

A

Strato

Drizzle falls

200
Q

Fog

A

Low cloud in contact with the ground

Restricts visibility

201
Q

Dense fog

A

When visibility is 330 ft or less.

202
Q

Radiation fog

A

Causes air near ground to saturate

203
Q

Advection fog

A

PAsses over cool surfaces

204
Q

Terminal velocity

A

Constant speed of a particle falling through a motionless fluid

205
Q

Collision-coalescence

A

Occurs in warm clouds

Droplets have to be large enough so it overcomes the air

206
Q

Virga

A

Streaks of water and ice falling from a cloud that vaporize beefore reaching earth’s surface

207
Q

Rain

A

Flat spheres

unstable at diameters and break apart

208
Q

Drizzle

A

Occurs in stratus clouds

209
Q

Snow pellets

A

Conical particles of ice

210
Q

Sleet

A

snowflakes partially melt below the cloud base

211
Q

Hail

A

Forms in thunderclouds

212
Q

Doppler effect

A

shift in frequency of sound or electromagnetic waves emanating from a moving source

Think of a train and how it moves differently and sounds differently based on its position