Water Cycle Wonders
The process by which water vapor turns into liquid water and forms clouds.
condensation
A loud sound caused by fast expansion of air along a lightning strike.
thunder
The rise and fall of ocean water levels each day.
tide
A gas layer that protects us from UV radiation.
ozone layer
The average weather in a location over a long period of time.
climate
The process where water from plant leaves changes into water vapor.
transpiration
A rotating, funnel-shaped cloud with strong winds.
tornado
A dangerous surface current that flows away from the shore.
rip current
The layer of the atmosphere where meteors burn up.
mesosphere
A warm air mass meets and rises above a cold air mass.
warm front
Water that moves across the land surface into rivers or streams.
runoff
A severe snowstorm with strong winds and low visibility.
blizzard
A current caused by density differences that moves deep below the ocean
deep current
The layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth's surface.
troposphere
Puffy white cloud with a flat bottom found at low to mid elevations.
cumulus cloud
The process where water enters and refills an aquifer.
recharge
Abrupt electric discharge from clouds to the ground.
lightning
A tide with the greatest difference between high and low levels.
spring tide
The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere.
exosphere
A cloud that covers the sky like a blanket and can cause drizzle.
stratus cloud
The total time a water molecule stays in one part of the water cycle.
residence time
A fast-forming storm with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning.
thunderstorm
A narrow band of storms found along a cold front.
squall line
The part of the atmosphere that protects Earth from solar winds.
magnetosphere
A cloud that covers the sky like a blanket and can cause drizzle.
stratus cloud