Weather Summative Study Guide
In which major climate zone is the equator located?
Polar, tropical, subtropical or temperate
What is a low pressure system? What kind of weather do we get?
A low pressure system is a whirling mass of warm, moist air that generally brings stormy weather with strong winds. When viewed from above, winds spiral into a low-pressure center in a counterclockwise rotation in the Northern Hemisphere.
*Note: As air pressure INCREASES, temperature DECREASES
What is the phenomenon called that causes winds traveling north to curve to the east?
Polar westerlies, coriolis effect, convection currents or trade winds
*Note: air masses travel from east to west in the continental US
What are trade winds?
The majority of the US resides in what atmospheric convection area?
Temperate Region.
What does temperate mean?
*Note: A sea breeze occurs when cool air moves from the ocean to land.
What is the greenhouse effect?
It is when solar energy is absorbed by Earth’s land and water surfaces and is changed into heat that radiates back into the atmosphere
*Note: Be familiar with all weather station symbols.
How does a hurricane form? What is needed?
What is barometric pressure?
The atmosphere is similar to a sponge in that it can be compressed, or squished up. The weight of the air above compresses the air below tighter and tighter. The lower we travel down into the atmosphere, the more weight there is above, and so the tighter the air is squished or compacted. The higher we travel into the atmosphere, the less air there is above and so the less weight there is pushing down, and as a result, the less squished up, or the less compact the air.
What does a sling psychrometer measure?
Relative humidity
When air pressure rapidly falls, what weather change will occur?
With mostly fair skies with winds circulation around a system in a clockwise direction, what type of pressure do you get?
High pressure system
What is condensation?
Normally, the atmosphere gets colder as altitude increases, but which atmospheric layer is warmer than the layer below it?
Thermosphere
What are the two most common gases found throughout the atmospheric layers?
Nitrogen and oxygen
*Note: be able to list the layers of the atmosphere from highest to lowest
What layer does all weather occur?
*Study all global wind patterns and be able to tell me what direction they blow from
What type of air mass would originate over Canada? The Caribbean?
*Daily weather forecasts are based off of?
Air mass movements
Know all air masses
Know about fronts and their symbols
*Note:When air temperature reaches the dew point, clouds are able to form.
Know about hurricanes and what is needed for one to grow.
GOOD LUCK!!