Weather Basics Flashcards
The atmosphere has 4 distinct layers
Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposhere.
Tell me about gases in our atmosphere and there weight
Our atmosphere is 350 miles high, as you increase altitude theres less air on top of your air. So the weight of the gases decrease. that is why air pressure decreases as altitude increases
Tell me how warm air moves.
Sun heats ground, which causes warm air. Hot air spreads our air molecules. then rises. It rises because hot air spreads out air molecules and the air is less dense.
Tell me about air pressure movement
Air always moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
Tell me about warm fronts
Move slow, warm air try’s to push into cooler air, because its lighter, it pushes above it. Warm air holds a lot of water.
Dew Point
Specific temperature to determine the relative humidity. Ex dewpoint is 14c, when temp hits 14c air becomes completely saturated and cant hold anymore moisture. because of that moisture forms in the air. (Dew, Frost
Tell me about cloud formation
Clouds occur as warm air rises and cools off.
Tell me how violent weather occurs?
Hot air rises, and hot air carries a lot of water vapor. Warm air rises fast and the faster it moves the more violent weather can get. So hot moist areas get violent weather.
Temperature Inversion
A layer in the atmosphere where the temperature increases with height, rather than decreasing as it normally does. This occurs when cold air at the surface is trapped beneath a layer of warmer air.
What are the 4 categories of clouds?
Low, Middle, high & vertical development.
Low clouds, tell me about them
Stratus - low sheet like clouds, Cumulus clouds, puffy & friendly looking clouds. Nimbo - Rain clouds. Impacts VFR flying up to 6,500 AGL.
Can you see rain and clouds during stable conditions
yes, not uncommon to see rain and clouds in stable conditions. Stable air resist vertical motion which keeps those clouds close to the ground.
Middle and high clouds
Middle is 6,500 - 20,000 AGL. two types of clouds (Altostatus & AltoCumulus) Altostatus clouds have turbulence and icing. Alto cumulus: Loght turb and icing.
High Clouds: Form in stable air Cirristatus, Cirrocumlus, Cirrius. 20,000 AGL.
Convection
Air that cools brought back down with air thats cooled. Which cause downdraft, very dangerous part of thunderstorm.
Which is more stable, warm or cold air?
Warm air is less stable because it rises and it holds more moisture.
