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exam 2 definitions
Term | Definition |
---|---|
barometer | used to measure atmospheric pressure |
advection | type of fog that forms when warm moist air moves over cold surface |
isobars | lines drawn on map to connect points of equal atmospheric pressure |
anemometer | measures wind speed |
coriolis effect | result of earths rotation from west to east causing objects to curve right in northern hemisphere |
jet stream | narrow zone at high altitude w/ strong temp. gradient |
rossby waves | waves at polar front in northern hemisphere marks boundary between cold polar air and warm tropical air |
thermocline | boundary between warmer surface ocean water and colder subsurface ocean water |
cyclone | uplift causes condensation and precipitation |
anticyclone | downward moving air causes relatively clearer conditions |
mid latitude cyclone | term for large inspiral of air that forms along polar front doinant system, carries cold front |
storm surge | sudden rise in water level brought on by hurricane |
doldrum | light and variable equatorial winds due to weak temp. gradient and weak pressure gradient near equator |
climate | avg weather of region |
temperature regime | characteristic temp pattern |
Hydrosphere | 99% oceans, glaciers, and ice sheets |
hydrologic cycle | process of water moving between spheres |
specific humidity | total quantity amount of water vapor in air |
reltive humidity | amount of water vapor in air relative to mx amount air con hold |
dew point | temperature at which an air mass holds its full capacity of water vapor |
lifting condensation level | altitude at which condensation occurs |
dry adiabatic lapse rate | when air rises it cools at the rate until it reaches dewpoint: 5.5 degrees F |
wet adiabatic lapse rate | after reaching dewpoint air rises and cools at: 2.7 degrees per 1000FT |
fog | cloud layer closest to earths surface |
cloud types | stratiform cumuliform |
orographic precipitation | air is forced up over mountain range |
convectional precipitation | air heated by patch of warm ground |
cyclonic precipitation | air lifted by cold front |
atmospheric pressure | pressure exerted by weight of air in atmosphere |
standard sea level pressure | 1013.2mb |
pressure gradient | change in atmospheric pressure measured along line at right angles to the isobars |
convective wind system | heating causes air to rise and form zone of low pressure |
geostrophic wind | winds at high levels that blow paralled to isobars |
hadley cell | convection loop of air between 0 and 30 degrees North and SOuth |
prevailing westerlies | between 30 to 60 N and S |
polar easterlies | 60 to 90 degrees |
thermohaline cycle | depends in temp. and salt content |