Weather And Climate Flashcards
What is the definition of weather?
Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time.
What is climate?
Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular area over a significant period.
True or False: Weather can change rapidly, while climate is stable.
True
What are the main components of weather?
Temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and atmospheric pressure.
What instrument is used to measure temperature?
Thermometer
What is the primary driver of weather and climate?
The Sun
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
atmosphere
Which gas is most abundant in the Earth’s atmosphere?
Nitrogen
What is the water cycle?
The continuous process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation of water in the environment.
Which type of cloud is typically associated with thunderstorms?
Cumulonimbus
What scale is used to measure tornado intensity?
Enhanced Fujita Scale
True or False: The Coriolis effect influences wind direction.
True
What are the three main climate zones?
Tropical, temperate, and polar.
Which phenomenon is characterized by a significant increase in global temperatures?
Global warming
What is a drought?
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The process by which certain gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, keeping it warm.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.
tropopause
What type of front occurs when a warm air mass meets a cold air mass?
Warm front
What does the term ‘climatology’ refer to?
The study of climate and its variations.
What is a blizzard?
A severe snowstorm with strong sustained winds and low visibility.
True or False: El Niño is a climate pattern that affects global weather.
True
What is the main cause of ocean currents?
Wind and the Earth’s rotation.
What is humidity?
The amount of water vapor present in the air.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average of those conditions.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs.
troposphere
What is a heatwave?
A prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity.
What is an isotherm?
A line on a map connecting points of equal temperature.
What type of climate is characterized by very low temperatures and little precipitation?
Polar climate
True or False: The polar regions receive more solar energy than the equatorial regions.
False
What is a monsoon?
A seasonal prevailing wind that brings heavy rainfall to certain regions.
Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
What is the primary cause of seasonal changes in climate?
The tilt of the Earth’s axis.
What is a cyclone?
A weather system characterized by low pressure and rotating winds.
Fill in the blank: A __________ is a large-scale movement of air that affects weather patterns.
jet stream
What does the term ‘climate change’ refer to?
Long-term significant changes in the average temperature and weather patterns of the Earth.
What is the role of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
To trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect.
