QUIZLET WEATHER Flashcards
Of the heat that reaches earth, how much gets reflected and how much gets absorbed?
“Of the heat that reaches earth, 55% gets reflected and 45% gets absorbed”
What is diurnal temperature variation?
Diurnal temperature variation is the difference in temperature between day and night.
What is the affect of high temperature on air density?
High temperature reduces air density and performance
What creates local wind?
Diurnal and topographical temperature variations create local wind
What is an effect of diurnal cooling?
Diurnal cooling is conducive to fog
What type of dangerous precipitation can be caused by a temperature inversion?
An inversion aloft can cause rain to turn into freezing rain
What is ‘hg’?
Hg is the abbreviation for millibars
How does a pressure gradient relate to wind?
The greater the difference between pressure gradients the stronger the wind
What is the affect of the Coriolis force in the northern hemisphere?
The Coriolis force deflects air to the right in the northern hemisphere
When the temperature dewpoint spread is less than what will you experience fog?
When the temperature-dewpoint spread is less than 5 degrees, you may experience fog
What is relative humidity?
How much humidity air can hold at a certain temperature…its current saturation is the relative humidity.
What are condensation nuclei?
Condensation nuclei are the microscopic solid particles suspended in the atmosphere. Water vapor condenses around these nuclei
What happens to the temperature of air as it expands or contracts?
When air expands its cool. When it compresses, it warms.
What are the 4 categories of clouds?
high clouds, middle clouds, low clouds, and clouds with extensive vertical development
What is a stationary front?
A stationary front is when neither air mass is replacing the other
What is an occluded front?
Occluded front or frontal waves are where a cold front is overtaking a warm front
How much ice does it take to decrease performance?
½” of ice can decrease performance by 50%
What is the most dangerous type of icing?
Supercooled water such as freezing rain can create 3” of ice in just 5 minutes
What is a microburst? Where are they found? What are their characteristics?
A powerful downdraft. Normally around thunderstorms. 6,000’ downdrafts, less than 1 mile in diameter to 2.5 miles in diameter at the base, very brief like 15 minutes
What are the three levels of the atmosphere?
Troposphere, tropopause, stratosphere
What is standard sea level temperature/pressure?
29.92” inches of mercury (Hg) and 59 degrees (15 celsius)
What causes weather?
The sun - change in temperature (heat exchange)
What causes winds aloft to flow parallel to isobars?
Coriolis force
What are the types of fronts?
A cold front, warm front, stationary front, and occluded front
