Weather Fundamentals
This process involves heated air rising and cooler air sinking, driving most weather phenomena.
Convection
Wind flows from this type of pressure area to a lower one.
High pressure
This is the name for the circular movement of air from the equator to the poles and back.
Atmospheric circulation
This type of turbulence is caused by wind flowing over terrain or buildings.
Mechanical turbulence
This is the root cause of all weather on Earth due to uneven heating.
Differential heating
These lines on a weather map indicate areas of equal atmospheric pressure.
Isobars
There are this many circulation cells in total across both hemispheres.
Six
This dangerous wind phenomenon can cause sudden changes in altitude during flight.
Wind shear
This type of air movement occurs when heated air becomes less dense and rises.
Updrafts
The closer these lines are on a map, the stronger the wind.
Isobars
Each circulation cell spans approximately this many degrees of latitude.
30 degrees
This rare but dangerous weather event is also known as a “wind bomb.”
Microburst
This effect causes wind to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Coriolis Effect
These winds blow from east to west near the equator.
Trade winds
This term describes the general direction the wind blows in a given location.
Prevailing winds
Pilots use these maps to plan routes based on pressure and wind conditions.
Pressure maps with isobars
These are the three main factors that affect wind speed and direction.
Pressure gradient, friction, and Coriolis effect
These winds dominate the mid-latitudes and blow from west to east.
Westerlies
What causes hurricanes to spin in a circular motion in the Northern Hemisphere?
The Coriolis effect acting on low-pressure systems
This type of wind pattern occurs when cooler air from land moves toward the ocean at night.
Land breeze