Weather Patterns Flashcards
Convection currents
Convection currents are when gases or liquids rise and fall in a circular path.
Sea breeze
The sea breeze is when warm air rises form the lad And cool air takes it’s place from the ocean, happens during the day.
Land breeze
Thee land breeze is when warm air rises from the ocean and cold air takes it place from land, happens at night.
Coriolanus effect
The Coriolanus effect is when the rotation of the Earth causes objects in the northern hemisphere to deflect to the right while the objects in the southern hemisphere deflect to the left.
Jet stream
The jet stream is a band of moving wind caused by differences in temperature, about 10k above the ground, moves west to east in northern hemisphere and moves east to west in Southern Hemisphere, in the US we are effected by the polar jet(cold air from Canada in the US).
Trade winds
Trade winds are winds that blow towards the equator, from the poles to the tropics(cold air), used by sailors.
Doldrums
Doldrums are spots near the equator where there are very few winds, “trap” sailors, gain moisture as they travel, bring tropical storms.
Prevailing winds
Prevailing winds blow away from the equator, brings warm air from the tropics to the poles.
Prevailing westerlies
Prevailing westerlies are winds that blow away from the equator, blows WEST to EAST, found over the United States.
Polar easterlies
Polar easterlies are winds that are found near the poles, winds that blow EAST to WEST.
El Niño
The El Niño is a band of warm ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America, can cause droughts, warms up climate, happens in the PACIFIC (west).
La Niña
The La Niña is a band of cold ocean temperatures that develop off the coast of South America, can cause more precipitation, cools down climate, happens in the PACIFIC (west).
Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream brings warm air and water to the poles, on the east coast, happens in the ATLANTIC (east).
