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Weather Variables 2
Climate, Air Masses, and Storms
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Weather | Describes day-to –day changes in atmospheric conditions. |
Climate | Describes the typical weather patterns for a given location over a period of many years. |
Convection in the atmosphere | Is a major cause of weather. Convection is the major mechanism of energy transfers in the oceans, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior. |
Rapidly falling air pressure | Indicates a storm is approaching. |
Tornado | A narrow, violent funnel-shaped column of spiral winds that extends downward from the cloud base toward Earth. |
Hurricane | A tropical cyclone (counterclockwise movement of air – low pressure)) characterized by sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour) or greater. Forms over warm water |
The Sun | Is the primary energy source that drives all weather events: precipitation, hurricanes, and tornados. |
High Winds | Are caused when two air masses with differences in air pressure (high/low) come near each other. |
Four major factors affecting climate | 1. Latitude – further away from the equator, the cooler the climate. Tilt of the Earth heats certain latitudes at a greater rate than others. 2. Elevation - higher in elevation (altitude), the cooler the climate. |
Four major factors affecting climate (continued) | 3. Proximity to bodies of water – Areas closer to ocean shore will have milder climate than areas inland (warmer winters and cooler summers). 4. Position relative to mountains – windward side is colder and wetter, leeward side is dryer and warmer. |
Maritime Tropical (mT) | This is a warm humid air mass. It formed over water in a warm location. |
Maritime Polar (mP) | This is a cold humid air mass. It formed over water in a cold location. |
Continental Tropical (cT) | This is a warm dry air mass. It formed over land in a warm location. |
Continental Polar (cP) | This is a cold, dry air mass. It formed over land in a cold location. |
Air Masses named | from where they originate (Ex: humid would form over water) |