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Definition
direct measure of mass of water in volume of air (g/L) |
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direct measure of mass of water in mass of air (g/kg) |
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actual vapor content/vapor capacity |
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radiative, advective, adiabatic |
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Definition
ground loses heat and cools air directly above it (ground fog, dew, frost) |
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Definition
horizontal movement of air (coastal fog) |
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Definition
cooling without energy loss as a result of pressure loss (clouds) |
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Definition
ground fog, dew, frost, coastal fog, clouds |
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Definition
convective, orographic, frontal, convergent |
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Definition
surface is warm, warms air, air rises |
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mountains push air up, it cools and condenses into clouds and rain, air rushes down leeward side and humidity drops |
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(like a polar front) 2 air types converge, one rises, one sinks |
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Definition
(ITCZ) low pressure, air rises |
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Definition
temp change with altitude change avg lapse rate: 3.5°F/1,000 ft (6.4°C/km) |
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Definition
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Term
saturated adiabatic lapse rate |
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Definition
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Term
lifting condensation level |
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Definition
altitude at which rising air cools sufficiently to reach 100% relative humidity at the dew point temperature and condensation begins |
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Definition
conditions that promote rising air (and cloud formation) |
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Definition
conditions that do not promote rising air |
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Term
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Definition
extreme stability (opposite of normal lapse rate, layer of air in the troposphere that warms as you rise through it) |
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Definition
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bigger drops move down and collect smaller droplets |
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Term
ice crystal (bergeron) process |
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Definition
crystals grow large enough to fall, melt beneath cloud on way to earth |
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