Unit 3 Definitions Flashcards
Define Weather
Combination of temperature, precipitation,cloud cover and winds experienced daily
Define Climate
Weather conditions of a place averaged over a long period of time
Define Air Mass
Large body of air having the same moisture and temperature conditions throughout
Define Prevailing Wind
Winds that are most commonly found in an area. For example, over most of canada, the prevailing winds are westerlies, which blow from West to East
Define Polar Front
Stormy boundary between cold, dry polar air and moist, warm tropical air
Define Jet Stream
West to East movement of air in the mid-latitude flowing at speeds of up to 400km/h at an altitude of between 8000m and 15,000m
Define Condensation
Process whereby water vapour is cooled and changes from an invisable gas to liquid water. Condensed water vapour is what forms clouds
Define Relief Precipitation
Precipitation created when an air mass rises to cross a mountain barrier; also called orographic precipitation
Define Convectional Precipitation
Precipitation caused on hot summer days, when heated land causes the air above it to rise by convection. As the air rises, it cools and condensation occurs. Rain or hail may fall from thunderclouds that build up
Define Continental Climate
Climate that develops away from the influence of the ocean. The annual temperature range tends to be large and precipitation is low
Define Maritime Climate
Climate type that is strongly influenced by the closeness or an ocean or other large water body. The annual temperature range tends to be small and the precipitation is high
Define Moderating Effect
Effect that large water bodies have on the climate over nearby land areas. Winter temperatures are warmer and summer temperatures are cooler than areas located away from large water bodies. The result is a small annual temperature range
