Term
|
Definition
| the redirecting (in all directions) of light by small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere. The result is diffused light. |
|
|
Term
| adiabatic temperature change |
|
Definition
| cooling or warming of air caused when air is allowed to expand or is compressed, not because heat is added or subtracted. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the average drop in temp with increased altitude in the troposphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the motion of one body about another, as Earth about the Sun. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| lifting of air resulting when cool air acts as a barrier over which warmer, lighter air will rise. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a cloud with its base at or very near Earth's surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an instrument designed to measure relative humidity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| fog created when air moves up a slope and cools adiabatically. |
|
|
Term
| negative-feedback mechanism/group |
|
Definition
| a feedback mechanism that tends to maintain a system as it is; that is, maintain the status quo. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a general term referring to water vapor in the air but not to liquid droplets of fog, cloud, or rain |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the process of converting a liquid to a gas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an igneous rock of ultramafic composition thought to be abundant in the upper mantle. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a climate generally located on the eastern side of a continent and characterized by hot, sultry summers and cool winters. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the mass of water vapor in a unit mass of dry air; commonly expressed as grams of water vapor per kilogram of dry air. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the mean temperature for a day, which is determined by averaging the hourly readings or, more commonly, by averaging the maximum and minimum temps for a day. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the maximum quantity of water vapor that the air can hold at any given temp and pressure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a coating of ice on objects formed when supercooled rain freezes on contact |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the transfer of heat through matter by molecular activity. Energy is transferred through collisions from one molecule to another. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| warm air gliding up a retreating cold air mass |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the lowermost layer of the atmosphere. It is generally characterized by a decrease in temp with height. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| nearly spherical ice pellets having concentric layers and formed by a successive freezing of layers of water. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| air that does not resist vertical displacement. If it is lifted, its temp will not cool as rapidly as the surrounding environment, so it will continue to rise on its own. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the energy absorbed or released during a change in state. |
|
|
Term
| localized convection lifting |
|
Definition
| unequal surface heating that causes localized pockets of air (thermals) to rise because of their buoyancy. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| radiation with a wavelength from 0.4 to 0.7 micrometer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a low-pressure center characterized by a counterclockwise flow of air in the Northern Hemisphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a front formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front. It marks the beginning of the end of a middle-latitude cyclone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| fog produced by evaporation from a warm water surface into the cool air above. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a climate found north of the humid continental climate and south of the polar climate and characterized by bitterly cold winters and short, cool summers. Places within this climate realm experience the highest annual temp ranges on Earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a molecule of oxygen that contains three oxygen atoms. Located in the stratosphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| occurs on June 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on December 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the process by which water vapor is changed directly to a solid without passing through the liquid state. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a cloud that forms below a height of 2000 meters (1,200 miles). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the layer of the atmosphere immediately above the troposphere, characterized by increasing temps with height, due to the concentration of ozone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the region of the atmosphere immediately above the mesosphere and characterized by increasing temps due to absorption of very shortwave solar energy by oxygen. |
|
|
Term
| electromagnetic radiation |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the amount of heat required to raise the temp of 1 gram of water 1 degree C. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an air mass that forms over land; it is normally relatively dry. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| frozen or semi-frozen rain formed when raindrops freeze as they pass through a later of cold air. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the tilt of Earth's axis from the perpendicular to the plane of Earth's orbit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the change of state from a gas to a liquid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the rate of adiabatic temp change in saturated air. The rate of temp change is variable, but it is always less than the dry adiabatic rate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a theory that relates the formation of precipitation of supercooled clouds, freezing nuclei, and the different saturation levels of ice and liquid water. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the spinning of a body, such as Earth, about its axis. |
|
|
Term
| clouds of vertical development |
|
Definition
| clouds that have their bases in the low-height range but extend upward into the middle of high altitudes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| by international agreement, a tropical cyclone with maximum winds between 61 and 119 kilometer (38 and 74 miles) per hour. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a large body of air that is characterized by a sameness of temp and humidity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| solid particles that serve as cores for the formation of ice crystals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| air that has a lapse rate greater than the dry adiabatic rate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees south latitude, marking the southern limit of Sun's vertical rays. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| one of the 2 types of dry climate; the driest of the dry climates. Also known as arid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a thin coating of ice on objects produced when supercooled fog droplets freeze on contact. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the conditions experienced in an area as an air mass passes over it. Because air masses are large and fairly homogenous, this will be fairly constant and may last for several days. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the area where an air mass acquires its characteristic properties of temp and moisture. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a climate that is transitional between the wet tropics and the subtropical steppes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the exchanges of energy and moisture that occur among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, solid Earth, biosphere, and cryosphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the kinetic energy of random molecular motion. |
|
|
Term
| positive-feedback mechanism/group |
|
Definition
| a feedback mechanism that enhances or drives change. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the rate of adiabatic cooling or warming in unsaturated air. The rate of temp change is 1 degree C per 100 meters. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a center of pressure characterized by cyclonic winds |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a front along which a cold air mass thrusts beneath a warmer air mass. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a well-tested and widely accepted view that explains certain observable facts. |
|
|
Term
| elements of weather and climate |
|
Definition
| quantities or properties of the atmosphere that are measured regularly and that are used to express the nature of the 2 things. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a complex patter of climate conditions associated with mountains. These climates are characterized by large differences that occur over short distances. |
|
|
Term
| enhanced fujita intensity scale (EF-scale) |
|
Definition
| a scale originally developed by a scientist for classifying the severity of a tornado, based on the correlation of wind speed with the degree of destruction. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a luxuriant broadleaf evergreen forest; also, the name given the climate associated with this vegetation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a zone of scattered clouds and calm averaging about 20 milometers (12 miles) in diameter at the center of a hurricane. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the reflectivity of a substance, usually expressed as a percentage of the incident radiation reflected. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the condition that exists when the distribution of winds in a given area results in a net horizontal inflow of air into the area. Because this at low levels is associated with an upward movement of air, areas of these winds are regions favorable to cloud formation and precipitation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a very level area of the deep-ocean floor, usually lying at the foot of the continental rise. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| occurs on March 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on September 21023 in the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a mixture of many discrete gases, of which nitrogen and oxygen are the most abundant, in which varying quantities of tiny solid and liquid particles are suspended. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a form of condensation best described as a dense concentration of suspended water droplets or tiny ice crystals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a rate of temp decrease with increasing height in the troposphere |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the transfer of energy (heat) through space by electromagnetic waves. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the time when the vertical rays of the Sun are striking the equator. The length of daylight and darkness is equal at all latitudes at this. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a bitterly cold air mass that forms over this frozen ocean. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the change in state from a liquid to a solid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an air mass that originates over the ocean. These air masses are relatively humid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle at which it encounters a surface and with the same intensity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the condition of water droplets that remain in the liquid state at temps well below 0 degrees C (32 degrees F). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the transmission of short-wave solar radiation by the atmosphere, coupled with the selective absorption of longer-wavelength terrestrial radiation, especially by water vapor and carbon dioxide. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the span of time since the formation of Earth, about 4.6 billion year. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a dry area of the lee side of a mountain range. Many mid-latitude deserts are of this type. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a continuous mountainous ridge on the floor of all the major ocean basins and varying in width. The rifts at the crests of these ridges represent divergent plate boundaries. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| in addition to performing the tasks of conventional radar, a new generation of weather radar that can detect motion directly and hence greatly improve tornado and severe storm warnings. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the ratio of the air's water vapor content to its water vapor capacity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| solar energy scattered and reflected in the atmosphere that reaches Earth's surface in the form of this blue light from the sky. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| mountains acting as barriers to the flow of air, forcing the air to ascent. The air cools adiabatically, and clouds and precipitation may result. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the boundary between 2 adjoining air masses having contrasting characteristics. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the amount of temp change per unit of distance |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a deep submarine region that lies beyond the continental margins. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a cold air mass that forms in a high-latitude source region. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the abnormal rise of the sea along a shore as a result of strong winds. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| fog resulting from (this) heat loss by Earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a system for classifying climates devised by this person that is based on mean monthly and annual values of temp and precipitation. |
|
|
Term
| midlatitude (middle-latitude) cyclone |
|
Definition
| a large center of low pressure with an associated cold front and often a warm front. Frequently accompanied by abundant precipitation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| fog formed when rain evaporates as it falls through a layer of cool air. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soot generated by combustion processes and fires. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the temp to which air has to be cooled in order to reach saturation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a fog formed when warm, moist air is blown over a cool surface. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| condensation nuclei having a high affinity for water, such as salt particles. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a geographic area of roughly parallel and geologically connected mountain ranges developed as a result of plate tectonics. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a layer in the atmosphere of limited depth where the temp increases rather than decreases with height. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| fog formed when rain evaporates as it falls through a layer of cool air. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a solid form of precipitation produced by sublimation of water vapor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| by international agreement, a tropical cyclone with maximum winds that do not exceed 61 kilometers (38 miles) per hour. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the parallel of latitude, 23 1/2 degrees north latitude, marking the northern limit of the Sun's vertical rays. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a situation in which the surface position of a front does not move; the flow on either side of such a boundary is nearly parallel to the position of the front. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| air that resists vertical displacement. If it is lifted, adiabatic cooling with cause its temp to be lower than the surrounding environment; if it is allowed it will sink to its original position. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a climate that has no monthly means above freezing and supports no vegetation cover except in a few scattered high mountain areas. This climate, with its perpetual ice and snow, is confined largely to the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a front along which a warm air mass overrides a retreating mass of cooler air. |
|
|
Term
| humid continental climate |
|
Definition
| a relatively severe climate characteristic of broad continents in the middle latitudes between approximately 40 degrees and 50 degrees north latitude. This climate is not found in the Southern Hemisphere, where the middle latitudes are dominated by the oceans. |
|
|
Term
| dry-summer subtropical climate |
|
Definition
| a climate located on the west sides of continents between latitudes 30 degrees and 45 degrees. It is the only humid climate with a strong winter precipitation maximum. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| any size group of interacting parts that form a complex whole. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the layer of the atmosphere immediately above the stratosphere and characterized by decreasing temps with height. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a climate in which yearly precipitation is not as great as the potential loss of water by evaporation. Also known as arid climate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| tiny bits of particulate matter that serve as surfaces on which water vapor condenses. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a climate found almost exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere or at high altitudes in many mountainous regions. A treeless climatic realm of sedges, grasses, mosses, and lichens that is dominated by a long, bitterly cold winter. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| occurs on September 21-23 in the Northern Hemisphere and on March 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an imaginary volume of air enclosed in a thin elastic cover. Typically it is considered to be a few hundred cubic meters in volume and is assumed to act independently of the surrounding air. |
|
|
Term
| marine west coast climate |
|
Definition
| a climate found on windward coasts from latitudes 40 degrees to 65 degrees and dominated by maritime air masses. Winters are mild and summers are cool. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the theory which proposes that Earth's outer shell consists of individual plates that interact in various ways and thereby produce earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and the crust itself. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| occurs on December 21-22 in the Northern Hemisphere and on June 21-22 in the Southern Hemisphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a measure of the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance; a measure of the average kinetic energy of individual atoms or molecules in a substance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the time when the vertical rays of the Sun are striking either the Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn. They represent the longest or shortest day (length of daylight) of the year. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| drops of water that fall from clouds that have a diameter of at least 0.5 millimeter (0.02 inch). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| moist air with a lapse rate between the dry and wet adiabatic rates. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| lines connecting points of equal temp. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the great circle that separates daylight from darkness. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the conversion of a solid directly to a gas without passing through the liquid state. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| gases that absorb and emit radiation only in certain wavelengths. |
|
|
