Unit 3 Weather Flashcards
Difference b/w weather & climate
The main difference between the two is weather changes day to day, while climate does not change for longer periods of day. Weather is the state or conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time, usually a day or so.
Ocean currents and their effect on climate (moderating effect)
Some currents take warm water away from the equator, influencing coastal climates near the poles. Others take colder water from the poles or the deep ocean and move it towards the equator, creating cooler coastal climates.
4 factors that affect climate
- Latitude
- Altitude
- Proximity to large bodies of water
- Ocean Current and air masses
prevailing winds and jet streams their effect on climate
they can push air masses around and affect weather patterns.
3 types of precipitation
relief
convectional
cyclonic/frontal
relief
What is forcing the air to rise?
Crossing an area of high elevation causes the air to rise
convectional
What is forcing the air to rise?
Absorbed heat from at the earth’s surface causes the air to rise
cyclonic/fronta
What is forcing the air to rise?
A cooler denser air mass flows beneath a warmer air mass causing it to rise
4 components that make up soil
The four main components of soil are Mineral Air Water Organic matter
Topsoil: formation
Very slowly as dead plants, leaves and animal remains are deposed by bacteria
Differences b/w leaching and calcification
Leaching is Water moves down through the soil and dissolves chemicals and nutrients and carries them deeper into the soil. But calcification Water evaporates and moves up and deeper soil is drawn up to replace it.
Terms: natural vegetation,
Plants that grow free from human interference
Terms tundra
is known for its freezing temperatures, lack of trees, low-growing vegetation and abundant rock outcrops.
humus term
the dark organic material in soils, produced by the decomposition of vegetable or animal matter
transition zone term
An area where the characteristics of an region gradually change into those of another
permafrost term
Permafrost is defined as ground (soil or rock and included ice or organic material) that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years.
ecology term
The study of living things and how they relate to each other environment
Environmental issue of Soil Degradation
Pollution Overgrazing Compaction Deforestation Urban sprawl Agricultural mismanagement Altering natural characteristics of rivers and streams
Most precipitation is caused by a combination of different process causing the air to rise. Two things that happen when air rises
- It cools
2. As the air cools water vapour present in the air condenses more than it evapparates
Precipitation is a major part of the …..
Hydrologic cycle
Warm air at the equator—— as it rises it ——— this const of air is referred to as ——————————
- Rises
- Cools
- Convection currents
The earths rotation ———-and ————— these currents. This is known as ———— effect.
- Blondes
- Deflects
- cariolis
It drive the three dominant winds on earth
- Trade winds
- Westerlies
Transfer
Ocean currents always swirl —— in the north hemisphere
Clockwise
What way dose the Southern Hemisphere spin
Counter clockwise
The rain forest in South America——— pressure
Low
The dessert regions ———— pressure weather system are dominant,
High
What happens in the temperate zones with weather systems?
High and low pressure system constantly collide
What is a front?
The leading edge of a landmass
As air moves upward it ———- ,———— and forms clouds
- Cools
2. Condenses
Lightning is——- times hotter than the sun
3
How is hail formed
Within thunder clouds updrafts and down drafts combine to toss supper cooled droplets
The longer this tossing action occurs the larger the hail can become
Eventually they become too heavy and gravity takes over
The strongest winds can reach up to ———- km per hour
500
Only —- percent of severe thunderstorms produce tornadoes
1 percent
Air mass
Large body of air with the same moisture and temperature
Permafrost
Ground that dose not completely throw in the summer
Why dose Toronto experience so many more thunderstorms than Vancouver?
The moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean moderates Vancouver’s climate
Cloud
A cloud is a large collection of very tiny droplets of water or ice crystals the droplets are so small and light that they can pleat in the air
Clouds are identified by
- Height
- Their appearance
- The way they develop
Fluffy cumulus clouds are named after the word ———
Heap
What is measured by a thermometer
Temperature
Difference between lowest and highest temperature
Rage
An important factor that influences climate
Latitude
Boundary between 2 air masses
Front
Where dose the sun rays are most direct
Equator
Measured by a barometer
Presser
Seasonal wind in Asia
Mansion
It has moderating affect on climate
Water
It is retained longer by water than by land
Heat
Used to measure temperature
Thermometer
Used to measure atmospheric pressure
Preameter
Used to determine wind direction
Weather vaine
Type of precipitation also known as orographic
Relief humet
Wind and snow combination
Drifting
Day to day atmospheric condition of a particular area
Weather
Person who studies reports and or predicts weather
A meteorologist
Lito siwo and gulf steam for example
Crents
Precipitation for meeting a warm and cold air mass
Aideclon
To resolve into vapour
Evaporate
Jet and gulf for example
Stream
Also known as cyclonic precipitation
Frontal
The ________season occurs in temperature above 5.6 C
Summer
Freezing point of water on a Celsius scale
20 percent
The Gulf Stream is a ——— water ocean currents
Warm
The movement of air from high to low pressure areas
Dominant
The angle of its rays help determine an area’s climate
Sun
Results when air rises cools and condenses
Rain
Condensed water vapour lying close to ground
Fog
Vapour
Gas
Average annual Temp
Calculate the average temperature from several temperature measurements using the formula: Average temperature = sum of measured temperatures ÷ number of measurements
Annual Temperature range
Subtract the lowest number in the set from the highest number. The resulting value is the range of the set of temperature values.
Most life depends upon the soil as a ———- or ———— source of food
Direct
Indirect
An example of soil as a direct source
Plant are rooted in the soil and obtain nutrients ( nourishing substance from it
An example of soil as a indirect source
Supports other forms of life indirectly (meat)
Sand is the ————- of soil particles feel gritty is the ———-and alows ———————-
Largest
Heaviest
Wate ans air to measure through it
Clay particles are ———- and are the ————of the tree soil particles.
Very fine
Smallest
Slit is the soil that falls ——————- texture. It considered a ————- sized soil particles.
Between sand and clay in
Medium
What are the two classes of trees
Coniferous
Deciduous
Which plant can survive harsher climate
Coniferous
Plants take in ——- form the ———- to produce ————-
Energy
Sun
Food
Plants and trees are commonly referred to as the earths lungs explain
They are absorb Corbin dioxide and produce oxygen
List way in which plants pollinate
Using fruit to Opel to animals
Wind blown
Burrs
List the ways plants defend themselves
Poison/ irritants
Needles spikes
Pedology
another term for soil science
Topsoil how long are they formed
6000 years to 10000 to form 15 to 25 cm
How dose climate effect the quality and amount of topsoil
Cool climates little vegetation, humans dose not build up topsoil remains thin
Warm climates more vegetation, more humus build up, thicker richer topsoil
Largest regions
Boreal taiga
Wettest regions
West cost
Smallest regions
Deciduous forest
Coldest regions
Tundra
How to figure out total annual precipitation
Add up all of the precipitation
How to figure out the growing season
Any above 5.6 and up is growing season
How to figure out continental and maritime
Highest temperature
Continental is greater than 25
Maritime is less than 25
How to figure out seasonal distribution of precipitation winter and summer
Winter anything from January February March October November December
Summer anything from august to September
Add each session of precipitation then see which one is higher
Soil profile
Different layers/horizons in soil. Each layer has different physical and biological characteristics
3 conditions needed to cause air to rise
Moisture lifting because of topography unstable atmosphere
How many Vegetation regions
7
Natural environmental issues of soil
Wind
Rain
environmental issues solutions
Plant more trees
Rotate crops
Reduce the use of chemicals
3 kinds of clouds
Cirrus clouds
Cumulus
Stratus
