weather Flashcards
the weight of air pressing against a given area
air pressure
events that occur in the atmosphere over short periods of time
weather
long-term weather patterns in a region
climate
the overall condition of the atmosphere at a given time and place
weather
condensed water vapor that falls to Earth as rain, hail, snow, etc
precipitation
the temperature of
the air
air temperature
a cloud on the ground
fog
the amount of water vapor
in the air. (It’s what makes the air
feel “sticky.”)
humidity
forms when water vapor condenses around particles, such as dust or smoke, in the air
clouds
two factors that indicate how hard the wind blows and the high pressure area from which it comes.
wind speed and direction
a large body of air with similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure throughout
air mass
scientists that study weather
meteorologists
tool that measures temperature
thermometer
tool that measures air pressure
barometer
tool that measures wind speed
anemometer
tool that measures humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air)
hygrometer
tool that measures the amount of rainfall
rain gauge
tool measures the amount of snowfall
snow gauge
a balloon filled with hydrogen or helium that carries instruments into the air to get information about atmospheric conditions up high
weather balloon
floating platforms on the ocean that contain weather instruments
weather buoy
a space satellite used to measure overall weather and climate on Earth
weather satellite
a device that measures the intensity (strength) of precipitation and wind direction and speed, and it can predict rainfall amounts
doppler radar
a disturbance that
occurs when warm, unstable air floats
above cooler air.
thunderstorm
caused by the buildup
of static electricity in clouds.
lightning
the sound that results
when lightning quickly pushes air
molecules apart.
thunder
a spinning, funnel-shaped
cloud that hits the Earth’s surface
tornado
tropical storms with
winds over 39 m.p.h. that begin over
tropical oceans.
hurricanes
