The gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere
nitrogen
The process that changes liquid water into water vapor.
Evaporation
An air mass that forms over an ocean and brings warm, humid air.
a maritime tropical air mass
The sound heard when lightning rapidly heats the surrounding air, causing it to expand explosively.
Thunder
The instrument used to measure air pressure.
a barometer
What is the atmosphere?
thin layer of gases that form Earth’s outermost layer.
What two organisms help release water vapor into the atmosphere?
Plants and animals
when two moving air masses meet
a front
A rapidly whirling, funnel-shaped cloud that reaches down from a thunderstorm to touch Earth's surface.
A tornado
Scientists who study the causes of weather and try to predict it.
A meteorologist
The elevation above sea level is called?
altitude
Name two types of precipitation?
rain, snow, sleet, hail, drizzle
The type of front that forms when a warm and cold air mass meet but neither has the force to move the other.
stationary front
A sudden spark or electrical discharge that occurs between clouds or a cloud and the ground.
Lightening
A long period of low precipitation
a drought
A warning issued when severe weather is already happening or is going to happen.
A series of events that repeat in the same order over and over again is called a what?
A cycle
What is a barometer?
A barometer measures air pressure.
Severe storms that begin as low-pressure systems over warm ocean water.
A hurricane
What is an anemometer?
A tool used to measure wind speed.