formed when the leading edge of cold dense air pushes under warm, light air
warm front
occurs when warm, light air rises over a cold air mass
stationary front
form when two air masses meet but are unable to overcome with another
occluded front
when a cold air mass, a cold air mass, and a warm air mass meet
cirrus
high altitude, very thin, made mostly of ice crystals
stratus
low altitude clouds, layered, spread out cloulds, made of water droplets, but can hold ice or even snow if the temperature is cold enough
cumulus
tall, vertical clouds, fluffy, cotton ball
Coriolis effect
the deflection of air and oceans because of the Earth's rotation
Polar Easterlies
coming from the east, rise
Prevailing Westerlies
coming from the west, rise at 60º N/S and sink at 30º N/S
Northeast/Southeast Tradewinds
rise at the equator and sink at 30º N/S turning west as they go
Doldrums
the weather rarely changes at the equator because of the constantly rising air
alto
mid altitude, thicker than cirrus clouds, slightly spread out, made mostly of water droplets but can have ice crystals if the temperature is cold enough
