Weather Flashcards
Weather Balloons
Helium-filled balloons that are launched 2 or more times per day from weather stations across North
America
Weather Radar
A weather radar sends out radio waves that are then reflected by
objects in the air such as rain, snow, hail, etc.
Remote Sensing Technology
Technology that collects data from a distance
Weather Satellites
An orbiting spacecraft that regularly gathers weather-related data and images and transfers them to weather stations on the ground
Meteorologist
A person who studies weather
Forecasting
A meteorologist’s ability to predict weather conditions
What are the types of Forecasting?
A short range forecast and a long range forecast
How long does a short range forecast last?
A short range forecast is for a period up to 48 hours
How long does a long range forecast last?
A long range forecast is for a period ranging from 4-7 days
What is Persistence forecasting?
Assumes current weather patterns will continue into the future
What is Nowcasting?
Relies on the use of remote sensing technology
What is a Weather Map?
Weather maps show current atmospheric conditions
What is an Isobar?
A line showing locations of the same atmospheric pessure
What is an Isotherm
A line showing locations of the same temperature
What is a cold front?
The leading edge of an advancing cold air mass
What is a warm front?
The retreating edge of a cold air mass as a warm air mass approaches
Stationary front
The boundary between two air masses that are not moving
Occluded front
The boundary formed when a fast-moving cold front overtakes a slow moving warm front
What is Climate
A set of environmental conditions averaged over many years
What is an Ice Core?
A core sample that is typically removed from an ice sheet
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
The greenhouse effect is a process in which certain gases in the atmosphere absorb heat from the sun and heat that is radiated from earth’s surface.
______________ is a mechanism of energy transfer in which atoms or molecules
give off energy in the form of electromagnetic waves
Radiation
What is a heat sink?
Any substance that can absorb and retain energy without changing state
What is Conduction?
A thermal energy transfer between two objects or substances that are in direct contact
What is Convection?
A thermal energy transfer by the movement of heated material from one place to another
What is Atmospheric Pressure?
The pressure applied by air on its surroundings due to the weight of the air
What is Humidity?
The amount of water vapour in the air
What is a Dew Point?
Temperature at which air is saturated with water vapour so that it condenses and falls as precipitation
What is an Air Mass?
a very large mass of air with nearly constant properties of temperature, humidity, and pressure
What is a Front?
A zone that develops as a result of the meeting of two air masses with different characteristics
