Weather Flashcards
What are ways to get weather forecasts?
Internet Coastguard broadcasts Local radio stations Marina notice boards NAVTEX receiver for passages
In the Northern Hemisphere, which direction do low pressure systems revolve?
Anticlockwise
In the Northern Hemisphere, which direction do high pressure systems revolve?
Clockwise
The deeper and faster moving the depression indicates
The worse the weather is likely to be.
From where do low pressure systems approach the UK?
The Atlantic
The closer isobars are on the chart indicate what about the wind?
The stronger the wind is.
Which angle does the wind blow along the isobars of low pressure system - inward or outward?
Slighting inwards.
Which angle does the wind blow along the isobars of high pressure system - inward or outward?
Slightly outwards
When a low pressure system is moving in, what kind of clouds would you see in the sky up to 12 hours ahead?
High, thin, wispy clouds against a blue sky.
As a low pressure system (depression) approaches, how will clouds appear?
lower, thicker, and darker
What kind of winds are produced by high pressure systems?
Light winds
If average wind speed is expected to be F8 or more, or gusts 43-51 knots
Gale Warning
If average wind is expected to be F6 or F7
Strong Wind Warnings “Yachtsman’s Gale”
Within 6 hours of time of issue of warning
Imminent
Within 6-12 hours of time of issue of warning
Soon
More than 12 hours from time of issue of warning
Later
Good visibility in miles
> 5 miles
Moderate visibility in miles
2 < x < 5 miles
Poor visibility in miles
<2 miles
Wind changing in an anticlockwise direction (e.g., NW to SW)
Backing
Wind changing in a clockwise direction (e.g., NE to SE)
Veering
Term meaning No significant precipitation
Fair
Wave height for a Smooth sea state
0.2-0.5m
Wave height for a Slight sea state
0.5-1.25m
What kind of cloud is this?
Cirrostratus (Height of base: 20,000 - 40,000 ft)
Usually generated at the forefront of frontal weather systems, the movements of cirrostratus can be used to predict what the weather will do in the next 24 hours.
Cirrostratus tend to be sheet-like and cover the whole sky. You can usually tend to see the sun or moon through them. Their pressence usually indicates moist weather within the next 12 - 24 hours.
There are two main ‘species’ of cirrostratus:
Cirrostratus fibratus - similar to cirrus, but with more consistency. Wispy strands all tightly knitted together, making for more of an animal fur look
Cirrostratus nebulosus - a uniform veil-like layer covering the sky. Sometimes almost unnoticeable, cirrostratus nebulosus is featureless, composed entirely of ice
Though cirrostratus itself does not produce precipitation, it can indicate whether or not precipitation is likely. If cirrostratus nebulosus exists in the sky it is likely that an incoming warm front will bring persistent rain within a day. If cirrostratus fibratus is spotted, stratus may proceed it, bringing only light drizzle.
What kind of cloud is this?
Cirrus
Cirrus clouds are white wispy clouds that stretch across the sky. By all accounts, cirrus clouds indicate fair weather in the immediate future. However, they can also be an indication of a change in weather patterns within the next 24 hours (most likely a change of pressure fronts).
By watching their movement and the direction in which the streaks are pointed, you can get a sense of which direction the weather front is moving.
They often form in advance of a warm front, where the air masses meet at high levels, indicating a change in the weather is on the way.
Technically these clouds produce precipitation but it never reaches the ground. Instead, it re-evaporates, creating virga clouds.
What kind of cloud is this?
Cumulus (Height of base: 1,200 - 6,500 ft)
Cumulus clouds are detached, individual, cauliflower-shaped clouds usually spotted in fair weather conditions. The tops of these clouds are mostly brilliant white tufts when lit by the Sun, although their base is usually relatively dark.
Mostly, cumulus indicates fair weather, often popping up on bright sunny days. Though if conditions allow, cumulus can grow into towering cumulus congestus or cumulonimbus clouds, which can produce showers.
What kind of cloud is this?
Cumulonimbus (Height of base: 1,100 - 6,500 ft)
Thunderstorm clouds. The King of Clouds.
Cumulonimbus clouds are menacing looking multi-level clouds, extending high into the sky in towers or plumes. More commonly known as thunderclouds, cumulonimbus is the only cloud type that can produce hail, thunder and lighting. The base of the cloud is often flat, with a very dark wall-like feature hanging underneath, and may only lie a few hundred feet above the Earth’s surface.
Cumulonimbus clouds are associated with extreme weather such as heavy torrential downpours, hail storms, lightning and even tornadoes. Individual cumulonimbus cells will usually dissipate within an hour once showers start falling, making for short-lived, heavy rain. However, multicell or supercell storms contain many cumulonimbus clouds and the intense rainfall may last much longer.
What kind of cloud is this?
Stratus (Height of base: 0 - 1,200 ft)
Definition: Gray, featureless low-altitude layer cloud capable of ground contact
Description & Characteristics. When you think of a cloudy, dreary day, you might have stratus clouds on your mind. Stratus clouds are blanket clouds that sit low to the ground, and on occasion, come in contact with the ground, better known as fog. If you live in a city with tall buildings, you might know stratus clouds by their ability to obscure the tops of buildings.
Stratus clouds form in calm, stable conditions when gentle breezes raise cool, moist air over colder land or ocean surfaces. These clouds can exist in a variety of thicknesses and are sometimes opaque enough to darken days, allowing for little light to pass through.
Stratus is usually accompanied by little to no rainfall but if it is thick enough, it can produce light drizzle. This drizzle can also fall in the form of light snow if cold enough.
What kind of cloud is this?
Nimbostratus clouds (Height of base: 2,000 - 10,000 ft)
Nimbostratus clouds are dark, grey, featureless layers of cloud, thick enough to block out the Sun. Producing persistent rain, these clouds are often associated with frontal systems provided by mid-latitude cyclones. These are probably the least picturesque of all the main cloud types.
These mid-level clouds are often accompanied by continuous moderate rain or snow and appear to cover most of the sky. Nimbostratus will often bring precipitation which may last for several hours until the associated front passes over.
If there is hail, thunder or lightning present it is a cumulonimbus cloud rather than nimbostratus.
What kind of cloud is this?
Altostratus (Height of base: 6,500 - 20,000 ft)
Altostratus layers are often composed of both water and ice and usually form when a layer of cirrostratus descends from a higher level.
Altostratus clouds often form ahead of a warm or occluded front. As the front passes, the altostratus layer deepens and bulks out to become nimbostratus, which produces rain or snow. As a result, sighting it can usually indicate a change in the weather is on the way.
What kind of cloud is this?
Cirrocumulus clouds tend to be large groupings of white streaks that are sometimes seemingly neatly aligned. In most climates these mean fair weather for the near future.
However, in the tropics, these clouds may indicate an approaching tropical storm or hurricane (depending on the season).
