Tempreature & Wind (Not finished) Flashcards
Where is the sun’s energy most intense ?
At the tropics closest to equator
How much radiation enters the earths atmosphere ?
100%
How much of the incoming solar radiation is reflected back out to space?
35%
How much of the outgoing long wave radiation is emitted to the atmosphere ?
70% (30% reflected + 70% emitted = 100% in and 100% out)
What is Albedo ?
Measurement of how reflective a surface is
Where is there a net surplus and a net deficit
Tropical region = surplus
Poles = deficit
Due to the fact that there is a surplus and a deficit of temperature between two regions, what does this suggest about the heat budget?
It’s ineffective in regulating heat alone across the world
What are the two other earth systems that regulate global temperature and how us responsibility divided between them?
Tri-cellular model: 80%
Oceanic currents: 20%
What’s is the name for an ocean current ?
Gyre
What are the jet streams?
Very fast moving channels of air in the upper atmosphere
How fast can jet streams reach?
250kmh
How wide and thick can jet steams be?
Hundred of km wide
1-2km thick
What is the name of the jet stream that is found at 40-60 degrees latitude and is marked by the meeting of the Ferrell and Polar cells?
Polar Front Jet Stream
What is the name of the jet stream found at 25-35 degrees latitude between Hadley and Ferrel Cell?
Sub- tropical jet stream
What is the jet stream that mostly affects the UK?
Polar front jet stream
When does the PF jet stream move more northly?what does this allow to happen to Great British weather?
Summer, it means that the jet stream can take depressions more North therefore there are more anticyclones in summer as the tropical continental air mass can move over the UK
When does the PF jet stream go back over the UK and what does this mean for UK weather?
Winter. It means that depressions are brought over the UK and the jet stream blocks off the anticyclone therefore we get more depressions
What are Rossby waves and what affects their shape?
The waves in the shape of the jet stream current that occur as a result of mountain interference from the Andes.
How do Rossby waves affect the UK weather?
Depending upon where the waves are they may allow for an anticyclone to enter UK air space.
How does latitude affect heat balance?
It can affect daylight hours and therefore the amount of energy that reaches the earths surface. For example in the tropics it doesn’t vary but at poles depending upon season there can be 24 hrs of light or darkened
How does the angle of the sun’s incidence affect heat balance?
Greater focus of energy at the tropics as sun is directly above, however as the earth is curved this means further away from the sun at greater latitudes, the sun’s rays are more spread out and less intense.
How does altitude affect the heat balance?
Greater height above sea level means a cooler temperature, e.g Bangladesh
