Vocab
instrument used to measure humidity (moisture) in the air
Psychrometer
an area where two air masses with different temperatures and pressures meet
Weather front
What provides the energy that drives wind speed?
The Sun
What happens to the ocean when it is heated?
What kind of weather does low pressure bring in?
stormy
amount of water vapor present in the air
Humidity
what kind of weather does a cold front bring?
cold temperatures, heavy rain, dry air
when temperature differences cause liquids and gases (fluids) to expand and move; the less dense areas continually rise, and the more dense areas continually sink creating a cyclical current
Convection current
Warm, moist air above warm, __________ ocean waters provides the energy that drives storm systems and makes _____________
tropical, hurricanes
What kind of weather does high pressure bring in?
dry, sunshine
an instrument used to measure wind speed
Anemometer
What kind of weather does a warm front bring in?
warm air, humid, some rain and clouds
What causes wind?
uneven heating of the earth's surface from the Sun
Where do hurricanes typically form?
In oceans near the equator because the water stays relatively warm
How would the motion of the anemometer above be affected by a permanent reduction in the amount of the Sun’s energy that reaches the Earth’s atmosphere?
The anemometer would spin slower.
a body of air that has about the same temperature and humidity throughout
Air mass
What is the temperature behind a cold front?
Cold
Uneven heating of the Earth causes what three things?
Convection Currents
Land Breezes
Sea Breezes
What role does the ocean play in Texas weather?
Precipitation that falls on Texas originates from water evaporates from oceans.
What severe weather tend to form over warm, tropical water?
Hurricanes, tropical storms
an envelope of mixed gases are held to the Earth by gravity; the most dense gases are near the surface of the Earth
Atmosphere
Temperatures behind a warm front are ________________ than in front of it.
Why does polar air travel to the equator?
The air is cold so it sinks down to the equator to be warmed again.
Why are there more hurricanes and tropical storms on the East coast than the West coast?
The ocean currents on the East coast bring warm water from the Equator, while the ocean currents on the West coast bring cold water from the North.
What is the oceans role in weather?
Evaporation from the ocean produces precipitation on land. The ocean controls the temperature of the Earth.