Weather Patterns Flashcards
isotherm
maps that show surface temperatures across an area / lines of equal temperature.
isobar
maps that show atmospheric pressure across an area / lines of equal pressure.
Pressure symbols H and L
H - high pressure center - clear skys
L- low pressure center - storms
Air mass
a large body of air that
has a relatively uniform
temperature and humidity
tropical (T)
at low latitudes (equator) – warm temperature
Polar (P)
at high latitudes (poles) – cool temperatures
Continental (c)
over land – low humidity
Maritime (m)
over the ocean – high humidity
front
the boundary where two
air masses meet; not a precise
boundary, more of a
transitional zone where one air
mass replaces another
warm air is ——– dense than cool air causeing warmer air to rise
less
Cold Front
cooler air replaces warmer air
forms thunderstorms and intense, brief precipitation
blue triangle lines
Warm Front
warmer air replaces cooler air
forms clouds and mooderate precipitation.
red simi circle line
Occluded Front
colder air overtakes a warm front
moderate precipitation, hurricanes
purple tirangle / simi circle line
Stationary Front
cold air flows parallel to the front and front doesnt move
rain, snow, freezing rain
red and blue with tirangles and simi circle lines
Mid- latitude cyclones
Low pressure systems that have cyclonic
flow (winds spiral to a center of
low pressure) found in the mid-
latitudes. occluded front caused
tropical cyclones
a storm system of many individual
thunderstorms originates and
intensifies over tropical waters
tropical storms = weak cyclones
hurricanes/ typhoons = strong cyclones
Scientists use a system based on ______ to classify tropical storms (Saffir-Simpson scale)
wind speed
tropical depression
weak tropical cyclone with wind speeds 23-39 mph
tropical storm
storm continues to develop due to warm air rising and winds exceed 39 mph
Hurricane
storm intensifies and wind speed increases to >75 mph
