Theme 5a - Weather patterns and processes Flashcards
What is latitude?
A measure of position north or south of the equator.
What is insolation?
Solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface (energy received per cm^2 per minute)
What is the tropopause?
The boundary separating the troposphere, where all weather takes place, from the stratosphere.
What is a storm surge?
The pushing of water against a coastline to abnormally high levels, usually a combo of extreme low pressure and winds pushing water into a narrowing feature such as a bay or estuary.
What is subsistence?
A farming system where farmers produce just enough to sustain themselves and their families.
What is prevailing wind?
The direction from which wind most frequently blows in a particular place.
What is the north Atlantic drift?
An ocean current which stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to north-western Europe.
What is convectional rainfall?
When the land warms up and heats the air above it, causing the air to expand and rise. As the air rises it cools and condenses, and large cumulonimbus clouds are formed, leading to heavy rainfall, common in tropic areas.
Factors effecting climate in the UK?
- Latitude (North is cooler than South)
- Altitude (temperatures decrease by 1*c for every 200m of elevation.
- Aspect (south facing slopes are warmer)
- Ocean currents (the NAD brings warmer water to the UK’s shores and keeps the climate mild in winter and cool in summer)
What do north-westerly air masses bring?
Polar maritime air, cool and showery.
What does south-westerly air masses bring?
Tropical maritime, mild and wet.
What does south-easterly air masses bring?
Tropical continental air, hot and dry.
What do easterly air masses bring?
Polar continental air, hot in summer and cold in winter.
What do northerly air masses bring?
Arctic air, cold with snow in winter.
What low pressure weather can be expected in the UK?
Produce cloudy, rainy and windy weathers (particulary in the winter months)
