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165 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Mid latitude cyclone |
A low pressure cell which develops in the mid latitudes and travels from west to east
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What weather do mid latitude cyclones bring? |
Cold Windy Wet |
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Coriolis force |
Force that causes the deflection of moving objects due to the rotation of earth on its axis |
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Where do mid latitude cyclones form? |
Mid latitudes 40-60 n&s
Where cold polar air mass meets warm subtropical air mass = polar front |
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Pressure belts |
Bands of high or low pressure that surrounds earth at certain latitudes |
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Where do mid latitude cyclones mainly occur ? |
35 & 70' Oceans and coastal areas |
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Air mass |
Huge mass of air, extending for 100s km with similar temp and humidity |
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Polar front |
A zone where the cold polar air mass and warm tropical air mass meet |
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Jet stream |
Band of very strong westerly winds high in atmosphere |
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Why do bends sometimes form in the polar front ? |
Disturbance in winds high in atmosphere in jet streams
Mountain ranges or shape of coastline |
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Cold front |
The border zone between cold air mass and warm air mass. Winds in cold sector blow against cold front |
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Warm front |
The border zone between a warm air mass and cold air mass
Winds in warm sector blow against warm front |
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Warm sector |
Area on ground affected by warm air in MLC |
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Cold sector |
Area on ground affected by cold air In MLC |
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List stages of development of MLC |
Initial Mature Partially occluded and occluded Degeneration |
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Backing |
Change in direction of the winds in an anti clockwise direction e.g. N to NW |
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Veering |
Change in direction of winds in a clockwise direction e.g. S to SW |
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What conditions will you experience from a cold front ? |
Temperature decreases
Pressure decreases
Humidity decreases
Warm , moist , unstable air in warm sector is lifted up the front - cumulonimbus clouds
Wind changes direction - backs in SH |
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What conditions will you experience from a warm front? |
Temp increases
Pressure decreases
Humidity increases
Warm moist unstable air lifted up warm front
Nimbostratus , altostratus , cirrus |
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Occlusion |
A late stage in the development of a mid latitude cyclone where the cold front to the rear catches up with the leading warm front, lifts the warm air off the ground and meets the cold air ahead of the warm front |
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Cold front occlusion |
Where the overtaking cold air is colder than the air ahead of it |
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Warm front occlusion |
Where the overtaking cold air is warmer than the air ahead of it |
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Tropical cyclone |
A low pressure cell that develops over warm oceans between the tropics |
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Characteristics of tropical cyclone |
Violent weather Destructive Damage to coastal areas Strong winds Huge waves Heavy rainfall |
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ITCZ |
The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone
Region in the tropics where to sets of tropical easterlies meet |
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Eye |
The calm area at the center of a tropical cyclone |
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Latent heat |
Hidden heat energy that is give out when water vapor condenses |
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What are the factors necessary for the formation of tropical cyclones? |
Hot moist air
Intense low pressure cell
Coriolis force
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How does the tropical cyclone continue to get energy? |
Large scale condemnation releases latent heat into atmosphere = energy needed to sustain cyclone = air more unstable = more air rising = cumulonimbus clouds = torrential rain Air pressure so low in eye that air is sucked down = calm, cloudless conditions where is is warmer due to adiabtic heating |
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Tropical Cyclones development stages: |
Formative Immature Mature Degenerating |
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Storm surge |
Bulge of sea water caused by strong winds blowing a tropical cyclone |
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Why tropical cyclones die out rapidly once they reach land: |
Winds slowed down by friction with a land surface rather than a sea surface
Drier air enters the system which reduces the amount of condensation and energy
Cyclone moves into cooler subtropical areas and air pressure increases; rainfall continues for few days and weather clears up |
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Eye wall |
The walls of cumulonimbus clouds that surround the eye of a tropical cyclone |
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How can you recognize a tropical cyclone on a synoptic weather map? |
LO cell with circular pattern of isobars between 5-30S Steep pressure gradient Date: late summer , early autumn Symbol in the eye Name of cyclone |
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In which direction do the winds move in tropical cyclones |
In SH Winds moving clockwise and into center of the low |
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Short term effects of tropical cyclones |
Strong winds & flooding - destroy homes and buildings
Infected water - diseases
Bridges, roads destroyed
Power lines, water supplies may be cut off
Flooding - loss of crops and livestock |
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Short term effects of tropical cyclones |
Strong winds & flooding - destroy homes and buildings
Infected water - diseases
Bridges, roads destroyed
Power lines, water supplies may be cut off
Flooding - loss of crops and livestock |
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Long term effects of tropical cyclones |
Water supplies can be contaminated when sewage systems are destroyed by floods
Large scale soil erosions by floods remove valuable topsoil |
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Strategies put in place to prepare and manage tropical cyclone effects |
Predictions and warning Preparing the community Land use planning Managing the loss |
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Anticyclones |
Cells of high pressure |
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Anticyclones |
Cells of high pressure |
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What weather do anticyclones bring? |
Descending, dry, warming air = clear skies & sunshine |
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Inversion later |
A layer of air where temp increases with increasing altitude |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
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Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
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Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
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Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
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Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
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Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
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Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
|
Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
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Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
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Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
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Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
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Anabatic or valley wind |
Local wind that blows up the length of the valley during the day from the bottom to the top of the mountain |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
|
Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
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Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
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Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
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Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
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Anabatic or valley wind |
Local wind that blows up the length of the valley during the day from the bottom to the top of the mountain |
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Downslope wind |
A local wind that blows down the sides of a valley during the night |
|
What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
|
Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
|
Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
|
Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
|
Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
|
Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
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Anabatic or valley wind |
Local wind that blows up the length of the valley during the day from the bottom to the top of the mountain |
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Downslope wind |
A local wind that blows down the sides of a valley during the night |
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Katabatic wind or mountain wind |
Local wind that blows down the length of a valley during the night from the top to the bottom of a mountain |
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What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
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Terrestrial radiation |
Heat given off by the earth |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
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Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
|
Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
|
Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
|
Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
|
Anabatic or valley wind |
Local wind that blows up the length of the valley during the day from the bottom to the top of the mountain |
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Downslope wind |
A local wind that blows down the sides of a valley during the night |
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Katabatic wind or mountain wind |
Local wind that blows down the length of a valley during the night from the top to the bottom of a mountain |
|
What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Terrestrial radiation |
Heat given off by the earth |
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Thermal belt |
Warm layer midway up a valley with cold air below caused by inversion of temperature |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
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Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
|
Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
|
Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
|
Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
|
Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
|
Anabatic or valley wind |
Local wind that blows up the length of the valley during the day from the bottom to the top of the mountain |
|
Downslope wind |
A local wind that blows down the sides of a valley during the night |
|
Katabatic wind or mountain wind |
Local wind that blows down the length of a valley during the night from the top to the bottom of a mountain |
|
What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Terrestrial radiation |
Heat given off by the earth |
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Thermal belt |
Warm layer midway up a valley with cold air below caused by inversion of temperature |
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Frost pocket |
A low lying area such as a valley bottom where frost regularity forms in winter |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
|
Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
|
Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
|
Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
|
Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
|
Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
|
Anabatic or valley wind |
Local wind that blows up the length of the valley during the day from the bottom to the top of the mountain |
|
Downslope wind |
A local wind that blows down the sides of a valley during the night |
|
Katabatic wind or mountain wind |
Local wind that blows down the length of a valley during the night from the top to the bottom of a mountain |
|
What is the southeaster ? |
In summer SAA moves south & elongates to form a ridge south of country
Produces strong southwesterly winds over southern cape
When wind reaches land, funneled between mountain ranges, down valleys & streets - gale force winds |
|
Terrestrial radiation |
Heat given off by the earth |
|
Thermal belt |
Warm layer midway up a valley with cold air below caused by inversion of temperature |
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Frost pocket |
A low lying area such as a valley bottom where frost regularity forms in winter |
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Radiation fog |
Fog caused by air cooling air to dew point as a result of terrestrial radiation |
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Moisture front |
A zone extending from NW to SE through interior of SA. Warm, moist, NE winds from Indian Ocean converge with winds from SW |
|
Main traveling disturbances |
Moisture front & line thunderstorms Berg winds Cut off low Coastal low pressure system |
|
Microclimate |
Climate of a small area |
|
Slope aspect |
Angle at which the suns rays strike a slope |
|
Shadow zone |
An area such as a slope that does not receive any sunlight |
|
Upslope wind |
Local wind that blows up the sides of a valley during the day |
|
Anabatic or valley wind |
Local wind that blows up the length of the valley during the day from the bottom to the top of the mountain |
|
Downslope wind |
A local wind that blows down the sides of a valley during the night |
|
Katabatic wind or mountain wind |
Local wind that blows down the length of a valley during the night from the top to the bottom of a mountain |
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Reasons for differences between rural and urban climates |
Microclimate of a city - Temperature variations Humidity and precipitation in cities |
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Reasons for differences between rural and urban climates |
Microclimate of a city - Temperature variations Humidity and precipitation in cities |
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Why a city is warmer than surrounding rural areas: |
City built of artificial substances
Artificial heat
High rise buildings absorb heat
Cities = polluted air above them - acts as a blanket trapping hot air |
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Reasons for differences between rural and urban climates |
Microclimate of a city - Temperature variations Humidity and precipitation in cities |
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Why a city is warmer than surrounding rural areas: |
City built of artificial substances
Artificial heat
High rise buildings absorb heat
Cities = polluted air above them - acts as a blanket trapping hot air |
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Why are cities less humid than rural areas? |
Water in cities is carrried away by storm water drains and there are fewer plants so less way vapor is added to air through transpiration |
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Why is precipitation greater over cities ? |
Water vapor will condense if there is hygroscopic nuclei Cities have pollution of smoke , dust , salt thus this increases amount of condensation |
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Why are thunderstorms more prominent over cities? |
Hotter air = stronger upward convention currents |
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Urban heat island |
When the central part of a city is warmer than the surrounding suburban and rural areas |
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Urban heat island |
When the central part of a city is warmer than the surrounding suburban and rural areas |
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Pollution dome |
Dome shaped mass of polluted air above a city |
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Urban heat island |
When the central part of a city is warmer than the surrounding suburban and rural areas |
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Pollution dome |
Dome shaped mass of polluted air above a city |
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Pollutant |
A substance that makes the environment dirty |
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Main sources of air pollution in cities |
Vehicle exhausts - carbon monoxide Burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil CO2 |
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Main sources of air pollution in cities |
Vehicle exhausts - carbon monoxide Burning of fossil fuels - coal, oil CO2 |
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Why has the gov tried to reduce the effects of heat islands |
Making surfaces lighter , more reflective Greening cities by planting trees |