Weather and Climate Set 2 Flashcards
Air Masses
Large bodies of air with distinct characteristics of temperature and humidity. They develop over stable areas where they adopt the characteristics of the ground surface.
Atmospheric Heat Budget
A model that describes the overall balance between incoming and outgoing heat from the earth-atmosphere system
Cold Front
On a synoptic weather chart, a line drawn to mark the forward edge of colder air approaching and undercutting warmer air
Condensation Nuclei
Microscopic particles such as dust and volcanic ash that forms part of the nucleus of raindrops and are essential for the process of condensation
Coriolis Effect
The effect of Earth’s rotation on: the movement of air, direction of ‘spin’ and tracks of tropical cyclones
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
The increase in natural greenhouse effect resulting from the emission of additional greenhouse gases from human activities
Greenhouse Effect
The term used to describe the recent rise in global average temperatures attributed largely to human activities
Hurricanes
Intense tropical storms formed over warm oceanic areas in summer
Insolation
The term used to describe the amount of short wave radiation that reaches the ground surface having passed through the atmosphere
Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
The zone of convergence and subsequent rising air at the surface boundary of the 2 Hadley Cells in equatorial regions. Its associated with the formation of tropical cyclones
Isobars
On a synoptic weather chart lines joining points of equal pressure
Latent Heat
In the atmosphere, heat released or absorbed when a change of state takes place in water. Latent heat is released when water condenses and is absorbed when evaporation occurs
Occluded Front
On a synoptic chart, a type of front formed when a cold front catches up and merges with a warm front
Particulates
Solid particles held in the atmosphere, often emitted from factories, power stations and vehicle exhausts, often considered to be a form of pollution
Polar Front
The boundary between the Polar Cell and the Ferrel Cell associated with instability and uplift
Pressure gradient
On a synoptic weather map, the difference in pressure between 2 points, indicated by the closeness of isobars. Steep Pressure Gradient= strong winds (isobars close together)
Smog
A type of air pollution associated with calm conditions and involving a mix of particulates and fog
Solar Radiation
Incoming short wave energy from the sun
Storm Surge
A rise in the level of the sea and subsequent inundation of low-lying coastal land, caused by the passage of intense low pressure such as a hurricane
Sub tropical cyclone
A broad zone of high pressure resulting from sinking air between the Hadley and ferrel cells
Synoptic chart
A map or chart that makes use of standard symbols to show features of weather
Temperature inversion
A reversal in the normal trend for temperature to decrease with increasing altitude. They commonly occur during clear, calm nights when dense cold air sinks beneath warmer air, forming frost and fog
Terrestrial Radiation
Heat emitted from the earth’s surface min the form of long wave radiation
Urban heat island
The warmer conditions experienced by a city compared with the neighbouring countryside
Warm Front
On a synoptic weather chart, a line drawn to mark the forward edge of warmer air approaching and overriding colder denser air
Weather
The day to day state of the atmosphere
