Describing Weather
A series of natural processes by which water continually moves among oceans, land, and the atmosphere.
The water cycle
What speed do the winds need to blow for the storm to be called a hurricane?
At least 119 km/h
What does an isobar tell us on a weather map?
All the places on a map where pressure has the same value.
Gases in the atmosphere that absorb Earth's outgoing infrared radiation are known as what?
Greenhouse gases
A warm period that occurs during an ice age.
Interglacial
What is weather?
Atmospheric conditions and short-term changes of a certain place at a certain time.
A funnel cloud that forms when updrafts within a thunderstorm begin rotating is called a what?
A tornado
What is a visible light satellite image show us?
White clouds and cloud formations over Earth.
How does altitude affect climate?
The higher the altitude, the colder the climate.
The time of year when where the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, resulting in the longest day of the year.
Summer Solstice
What is a barometer used to measure?
Barometric pressure
What is a stationary front?
An approaching front that will stall for several days, with warm air on one side and cold air on the other side.
What is the difference between a surface report and an upper-air report?
Surface Report- weather measurements made on Earth's surface
Upper-Air Report- describes wind, temperature, and humidity conditions above Earth's surface (in the atmosphere)
The climate of Sukhumvit compared to the climate of all of Bangkok would be an example of what?
A microclimate
What causes the seasons?
The latitude and tilt of the Earth
True or False: the dew point is the same temperature as the melting point.
True - the dew point (and melting point) are temperature where condensation can occur.
A large body of circulating air with high pressure at its center and lower pressure outside of the system is what kind of pressure system?
High-pressure system
A purple line of half circles and triangles shows which type of front on a weather map?
An occluded front
Why does the ocean water feel much colder than the sand on the beach?
The ocean water has a higher specific heat than the sand, so the sand heats up much faster.
What interglacial period are we currently in?
Holocene Epoch
What is the difference between snow and sleet?
Snow is complete frozen, even when it hits the ground. Sleet is frozen, then thaws, then refreezes before it hits the ground.
How are air masses calculated?
By their temperature and moisture characteristics (precipitation)
How are computers used to predict the weather?
Complex mathematical formulas detailed in a computer program help predict the weather.
By the year 2100, how high are temperatures expected to reach on Earth?
Between 1°C and 4° C
How long is the cycle of Earth's tilt before it changes again?
41,000 years