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Weather and Climate > Weather and Climate: Ch. 6 > Flashcards

Weather and Climate: Ch. 6 Flashcards

1
Q

Instrument used to measure air pressure and monitor changes

A

Barometer

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2
Q

Most accurate and first invented type of barometer

A

Mercury Barometer

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3
Q

When was the Mercury Barometer invented?

A

1643

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4
Q

Most common type of home barometer

A

Aneroid (no liquid) Barometer

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5
Q

Rising air pressure = …

A

continued fair or clearing weather

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6
Q

Falling air pressure = …

A

signals approach of stormy weather

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7
Q

lines that connect points of equal pressure

A

Isobars

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8
Q

Isobars are _____ black lines at intervals of __ mb

A

solid; 4

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9
Q

What is isobars base value

A

1000 mb

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10
Q

Surface maps/isobars show variations in ________ along a ________ surface (sea level)

A

pressure; horizontal

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11
Q

Commonly used to study weather above surface

A

Upper atmosphere charts

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12
Q

Major weather systems travel here

A

500 mb (18,000’) chart

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13
Q

Elongated high pressure areas

A

Ridges

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14
Q

In ridges, ______ air moving _______

A

warm; poleward

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15
Q

Elongated low pressure areas

A

Troughs

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16
Q

In troughs, ______ air moving towards _________

A

cold; equator

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17
Q

What is the main cause of pressure differences and wind?

A

unequal heating of Earth’s surface

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18
Q

Winds blow from _____ to ____ pressure

A

high to low

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19
Q

What 3 forces influence winds?

A
  1. Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
  2. Coriolis Effect
  3. Friction (only affects surface winds)
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20
Q

Difference in pressure over distance, directed perpendicular to isobars from high to low

A

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

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21
Q

Force that causes wind to blow

A

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

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22
Q

Pressure gradient force is big for _______

A

SPEED

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23
Q

In PGF, closely spaced isobars = …

A

steep pressure gradient

24
Q

In PGF, widely spaced isobars = …

A

gentle pressure gradient

25
Steep pressure gradient produces _____ winds
strong
26
Gentle pressure gradient = ______ winds
light
27
Apparent deflection due to rotation of earth
The Coriolis Effect
28
In the Coriolis Effect, object deflect to _____ in northern hemisphere
right
29
In the Coriolis Effect, object deflect to _____ in southern hemisphere
left
30
In Coriolis Effect, stronger the wind = ...
greater the deflection
31
Coriolis effect is strongest at _____ and weakens to ________
poles; equator
32
The Coriolis effect influences _________, not ______
direction; speed
33
The Coriolis effect only has significant impact over _____ distances
long
34
Frictional drag of ground slows surface winds, reducing ...
Coriolis Force
35
Influences wind in first mile of atmosphere
Friction
36
Blows parallel to straight isobars at altitudes above friction layer
Geostrophic Wind
37
Balance between PGF and Coriolis force
Geostrophic Wind
38
Wind that blows parallel to curved isobars above friction layer
Gradient Wind
39
Gradient wind viewed above in northern hemisphere, blow _________ in anticyclones (high)
clockwise
40
Gradient wind viewed above in northern hemisphere, blow ____________ in cyclones (low)
counterclockwise
41
Friction causes winds at surface to blow at an angle across isobars from high to low pressure
Surface Winds
42
In surface winds, winds cross isobars at about ___
30°
43
In northern hemisphere, surface winds blow clockwise and ...
out of high
44
In northern hemisphere, surface winds blow counterclockwise and ...
into a low
45
In surface winds, in center of a high, winds are ________
diverging (descending)
46
In surface winds, in center of a low, winds are ________
converging (lifting)
47
In surface winds, ________ is frequently a stormy weather system
cyclone
48
To locate the center of storms, stand with your ____ to wind, center of lowest pressure will be to your _____, turn clockwise about ___ to surface wind
back; left; 30°
49
Wind that blows consistently from one direction more than from any other
Prevailing wind
50
Prevailing winds, dominate _____ _______
wind direction
51
Prevailing winds can ...
greatly affect a climate
52
Winds are labeled by direction from which they blow
Wind Vane
53
Measures wind speed
Anemometer
54
Cylindrical clumps of snow often with a hole extending lengthwise
Snow Rollers
55
Snow Rollers are ______
rare
56
What is the windiest region in the US?
Central Plains
57
What is the average wind speed in the Central Plains?
12 mph

Weather and Climate (11 decks)

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