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Meteorology
Atmosphere and Its Conditions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
METEOROLOGY | Study of the atmosphere and its conditions AND the Causes changes in temperature, air pressure, moisture and wind direction |
CLIMATE | Average course or condition of the weather in a specific area'; Relationship of temperature, wind, velocity and precipitation to each other; Usually over a long period of time i.e., Describe the climate for our area… |
FRONTS | Boundaries that separate different air masses; Types: Warm; Cold; Stationary and Occluded |
WARM FRONT | Develops when a warm air mass meets a cold air mass; Warm air mass rise up over a cooler air mass. Often causes long periods of steady of rain |
COLD FRONT | Develops when a cold air mass invades a warm air mass; Often followed by heavy showers or thunderstorms |
STATIONARY FRONT | Air masses stops moving; Often linked with periods of extended cloudiness and light rain |
OCCLUDED FRONT | Boundary between the two cold air masses Represented on weather maps by a solid purple line with alternating triangles and semi-circles, pointing in the direction of its movement. |
RAINSHADOW EFFECT | Large mountain ranges affect climate; Forcing air to rise over “windward” side, cooling and bringing precipitation; Air descends with little or no moisture, creating desert-like conditions on the “leeward” side of the mountain |
LAKE EFFECT SNOWS | Cold, arctic Air mass crosses Great Lakes picks up moisture from the water; Creates snowstorms toward the “leeward” shores |
ATMOSPHERE | Gaseous envelope surrounding Earth; Made up mainly of nitrogen & oxygen; These gases absorb solar radiation, moderate temperatures and distribute water (precipitation) |
TROSPHERE | Layer of atmosphere closest to Earth [ocated below the “stratosphere”; Lowest level; jets travel at this altitude. Most of our “observed” weather takes place in the troposphere |
STRATOSPHERE | Contains the “ozone layer” ; Absorbs harmful ultra violet radiation Above the troposphere |
THERMOSPHERE | Thickest part of the atmosphere, Outermost layer Air is the thinnest |