Energy & Weather
Thermal energy transfer between two objects or substances that are in direct contact
Conduction
The amount of water vapour in the air
Humidity
Very large mass of air with nearly uniform properties of temperature, humidity, and pressure
Air mass
Technology that collects weather data from a distance without actually being in physical contact with the object being observed
Remote sensing technology
A change in the weather conditions that a region experiences over a long period of time
Climate Change
A process in which human-produced greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere absorb heat energy from the Sun and Earth’s surface
Anthropogenic greenhouse effect
The pressure exerted by air on its surroundings due to the weight of the air
Atmospheric pressure
Any substance that can absorb and retain energy without changing state
Heat sink
A weather forecast that predicts how weather conditions will change over a period of up to 48 hours
Short-range forecast
A type of weather radar that is used to determine the speed and direction of a weather system
Doppler Radar System
Thermal energy transfer in which atoms or molecules give off energy as electromagnetic waves
Radiation
Temperature at which air is saturated with water vapour so that it condenses and falls as precipitation
Dew point
A zone that develops as a result of the meeting of two air masses with different characteristics
Front
Remote sensing technology that measures weather data by analyzing radio waves that are reflected off objects in the atmosphere
Weather radar
A narrow band of fast-moving wind
Jet Stream
Thermal energy transfer by the movement of heated material from one place to another
Convection
The physical conditions of the atmosphere at a specific time and place
Weather
Process of predicting future weather based on ongoing observations of atmospheric conditions
Weather forecasting
A weather forecast that predicts how weather conditions will change over a period of 3 to 7 days
Long-range forecast
A region where air is descending and thus exerting more pressure on the region below
High Pressure System
A change in the direction of moving air, water, or any objects on Earth’s surface due to Earth’s rotation
Coriolis effect
A measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a sample of a particular substance
Temperature
A region where rising air is leaving less dense air below
Low Pressure System
The pattern of weather conditions in a region over a long period of time
Climate
The usual direction from which a wind blows
Prevailing