The Atmosphere
The thin envelope of gases that surrounds the planet.
Atmosphere
Any form of water that falls from the clouds and reaches Earth's surface.
Precipitation
Air Mass
A scientists who studies and predicts weather.
Meteorologist
A localized storm often accompanied by heavy precipitation, frequent thunder, and dangerous lightning.
Thunderstorm
The force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above a given point
Air Pressure
A measure of the amount of water vapor in the air.
Humidity
A band of high-speed winds about 6 to 14 Km above Earth's surface. Blows from west to east carrying surface air masses with it.
Jet Stream
Forms when a cold air mass runs into a warm air mass. Can result in heavy rains and winds, thunderstorms, and even tornadoes. After the front passes, the weather usually cools and the skies become clear.
Cold Front
A storm that can stretch more than 600 Km across and it may have winds as strong as 320 km/hr.
Hurricane
The distance above sea level.
Altitude
The percent of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a particular temperature.
Relative humidity
The boundary where air masses meet.
Front
Forms when a fast moving warm air mass overtakes a slower-moving cold air mass. These fronts often move slowly, so there may be rain and clouds for a few days. The weather usually is warmer and more humid after the front moves by.
Warm Front
An extremely fast spinning column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm to Earth's surface.
Tornado
The movement of air parallel to the Earth's surface.
Wind
The temperature at which condensation begins.
Dew Point
A swirling center of low air pressure. As warm air at the center rises air pressure decreases. Then, cooler air from areas of high pressure spirals inward toward the center.
Cyclone
A warm air mass gets caught between two cold air masses. The warm air mass is prevented from reaching the ground and as it cools, clouds gather, and rain or snow may fall.
Occluded Front
A long period with little to no rainfall.
Drought
What is the relationship between altitude and air pressure.
As altitude increases air pressure decreases.
The circulation of air due to heating and cooling of molecules.
Convection Cell
It is has a high-pressure center of dry air. Winds spiral outward from the center moving outward toward areas of low pressure. As air moves out from the center, cool air moves downward. As this air warms its relative humidity drops, so no clouds form and the weather is clear and dry. Hint: Opposite to a cyclone
Anticyclone
A cold and warm air mass meet, but neither one can move the other. This front can bring many days of clouds and precipitation.
Stationary Front
A dome of water that sweeps across the coast where a hurricane is traveling.
Storm Surge