Weather and Climate

Question 1

Air Mass

Answer 1

A very large body of air with relatively uniform temperature and moisture characteristics

Question 2

Air Pressure

Answer 2

The weight of the air above a reference point, measured in millibars

Question 3

Anticyclone

Answer 3

An area of high air pressure bringing clear skies

Question 4

Atmosphere

Answer 4

The layer of air round the earth

Question 5

Climate

Answer 5

The average weather over many years

Question 6

Condensation

Answer 6

Gas becoming liquid

Question 7

Convectional rainfall

Answer 7

Rain formed by the sun heating the land surface causing moist air to rise, condense and produce heavy rainfall

Question 8

Depression

Answer 8

A cyclonic weather system bringing precipitation and winds

Question 9

Drought

Answer 9

A prolonged period of below average precipitation

Question 10

Evaporation

Answer 10

Liquid turning to gas

Question 11

Fog

Answer 11

Cloud at ground level (reducing visibility to 1km)

Question 12

Front

Answer 12

The boundary between warm and cool air masses

Question 13

Frontal rainfall

Answer 13

Rain formed when warm, moist air rises over cold air, causing condensation and precipitation

Question 14

Humidity

Answer 14

The moisture in the air

Question 15

Isotherm

Answer 15

A line on a map joining points of equal temperature

Question 16

Jet Stream

Answer 16

A fast-flowing, narrow air current found in the atmosphere

Question 17

Microclimate

Answer 17

The local climate of a small area

Question 18

North Atlantic Drift

Answer 18

An ocean current which warms coastal areas in western Europe

Question 19

Precipitation

Answer 19

Rain, snow, hail, or sleet

Question 20

Prevailing wind

Answer 20

The most common direction of wind (SW in the British Isles)

Question 21

Relief rainfall

Answer 21

Rain formed when moist air is forced to rise over highland, causing cooling, condensation and precipitation

Question 22

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Answer 22

Weather - short term (day to day) variation in weather

Climate - general weather patterns over many years

Question 23

Examples of extreme weather events

Answer 23

Droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes

Question 24

When do droughts occur?

Answer 24

When there is abnormally low rainfall for an extended period of time

Question 25

What are the six main climate zones?

Answer 25

- Polar/sub-polar - Temperate - Arid - Mountainous - Tropical - Mediterranean

Question 26

What are the factors affecting temperature?

Answer 26

Latitude Altitude Distance from the Sea Ocean Currents Prevailing Wind

Question 27

What is latitude?

Answer 27

How north or south a location is from the equator

Question 28

What is altitude?

Answer 28

The height of an object or location above a fixed reference point, such as sea level

Question 29

What is distance from the sea?

Answer 29

The land warms up and cools down more quickly than the sea; places further inland become hotter in summer and colder in winter.

Question 30

What is ocean currents?

Answer 30

Continuous movements of seawater in a specific direction

Question 31

What is prevailing wind?

Answer 31

The most common direction from which the wind blows

Question 32

What can cause microclimates?

Answer 32

Both natural and human factors.

Question 33

What are the factors affecting a microclimate?

Answer 33

Physical features Aspect Buildings Surface Shelter

Question 34

What is physical features?

Answer 34

Trees, lakes, rivers, hills

Question 35

What are buildings?

Answer 35

They offer shelter, but can funnel winds, give off heat and make shadows

Question 36

What is aspect?

Answer 36

Direction in which a place is facing in relation to the sun

Question 37

What is surface?

Answer 37

It influences air temperature - artificial surfaces warm up faster than natural ones

Question 38

What is shelter?

Answer 38

Buildings, natural features provide shelter and reduce wind, making it feel warmer

Question 39

What are the three main types of rainfall?

Answer 39

Relief, convectional, and frontal rainfall

Question 40

What is relief rainfall?

Answer 40

Question 41

What is convectional rainfall?

Answer 41

Question 42

What is frontal rainfall?