Vocabulary
Abnormally low precipitation over a relatively long period, causing shortages that affect crops, people, or the environment.
Drought
Nimbostratus is a __ level cloud.
Mid
Most common form of precipitation.
Rain
How many forms of drought are there?
4
False
A front that occurs when two air masses push against each other, allowing neither to move.
Stationary Front
These clouds are white, billowy, and resembles puffs of cotton with flat bases.
Cumulus
When raindrops have time to freeze before hitting the ground; we call this form of precipitation ___.
Sleet
Defined by comparing an area's current precipitation with the area's typical precipitation and by analyzing how long the dry period lasts.
Meteorological Drought
This kind of snow is best for making snowballs but is hard to shovel.
Wet Snow
Liquid precipitation less than 0.5 mm in diamter.
Drizzle
Cirrus, cirrostratus, and ____ are considered high-level clouds.
Cirrocumulus
A brief but intense snowfall.
Snow Squall
When a meteorological drought affects an area's groundwater, streams, lakes, and reservoirs.
Hydrological Drought
A front that occurs when a cold front overtakes a warm front; lifting the warm air mass off the ground.
Occluded Front
These air masses form over deserts and bring hot, dry weather; these are the hottest air masses recognized.
Continental Tropical Air Mass
The most common type of high-level cloud.
Cirrus
This occurs when heavy snow and winds of at least 35 mph continue for 3 hours or more.
Blizzard
This form of drought is based not on the physical water shortage but on the water shortage's effect on people.
Socioeconomic Drought
During a blizzard, the large amounts of snow and wind can reduce visibility to almost zero, causing a ___.
Whiteout
Layered balls of ice that form during thunderstorms.
Hail
These are flat, sheet-like clouds that look similar to stratus clouds, except they are lighter in color and do not produce precipitation.
Altostratus
The size of a hailstone depends on the strength of the storm's ___.
Updraft
Occurs when precipitation cannot supply enough moisture to the ground to support an area's crops.
Agricultural Drought
These air masses form over oceans of frigid regions, such as the northeastern and northwestern coasts of North America.
Maritime Polar Air Mass