Measurements
The smallest scale of atmospheric motions.
What is the Microscale.
Lines on a weather map connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure.
What is an Isobar.
Wind changes direction when traveling over a body of water due to this force.
What is the Coriolis Force.
Any irregular or disturbed flow in the atmosphere.
A whirl of air, typically formed on the leeward side of an object.
What is an Eddy.
The tool used to measure wind speed and direction.
What is a Wind Vane.
The layer of air from Earth’s surface where the wind is influenced by friction of Earth’s surface and objects on it.
What is the Planetary Boundary Layer.
Standing waves that oscillate back and forth over an open body of water.
What are Seiches.
The counterclockwise flow of air around a low pressure system in the Northern Hemisphere.
What is Cyclonic Flow
The wind direction most frequently observed during a given period.
What is the Prevailing Wind.
100 Pascals (Pa) equals this measurement.
What is 1 Millibar (mb).
This large scale circulation of are air pressure occurs from the equator to latitude 30.
What is a Hadley Cell.
The phenomenon that occurs when water slows and turns to the right until, at some depth, the water moves in a direction opposite to the flow of water at the surface.
What is the Ekman Spiral.
The warming and cooling of the air creates density oscillations, driven by daily cooling and heating.
Relatively strong winds concentrated within a narrow band in the atmosphere.
What are Jet Streams.
The actual air pressure computed at the observing station.
What is Station Pressure.
The belt of latitude at about 30 to 35 where winds are predominantly light and the weather is hot and dry.
What are the Horse Latitudes.
The circular movement of ocean currents caused by wind and Earth’s rotation.
Areas of high pressure and low pressure that tend to persist at a particular latitude belt throughout the year.
What are Semipermanent Highs and Lows
Wind blowing under these conditions: Above the level of friction, air initially at rest will accelerate until it flows parallel to the isobars at a steady speed with the pressure gradient force balanced by the Coriolis Force.
What is Geostrophic Wind.
The product of (Air Temperature)*(Air Density)*Constant.
What is Air Pressure.
The rate of decrease of pressure per unit of horizontal distance.
What is the Pressure Gradient.
When air flows together in one area and is forced upward, often forming clouds.
What is Convergence.
The state of the atmosphere when there is a balance between the vertical pressure gradient force and the downward pull of gravity.
What is Hydrostatic Equilibrium.
In this region over equatorial waters, the air is warm, horizontal pressure gradients are weak, and winds are light.
What is the Doldrums