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Meteorology Exam 1 (CH 1, 2, and 3) > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Weather

A

The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time in terms of (temp, humidity, cloudiness, precipitation, wind speed and direction)

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2
Q

Meteorology

A

Study of the atmosphere, processes that cause weather , and the life cycle of weather systems

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3
Q

Climate

A

Weather Conditions at a locality averaged over a specified time interval

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4
Q

Climatology

A

Study of Climate, it’s controls and spatial temporal variability

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5
Q

NWR

A

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards

Source of weather and climate info. Broadcasts weathe and non weather (amber alerts etc) emergency messages

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6
Q

Pressure Systems (2 main types)

A

High (AntiCyclones) and Low (Cyclone) High to low is in reference to air pressure

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7
Q

Air pressure

A

Weight per unit area of a column of air that extends upward from Earth’s surface to the top of atmosphere

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8
Q

Anti cyclone

A

High pressure system, high air pressure area, accompanied by fair weather

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9
Q

Highs originating in northwestern Canada will bring

A

Cold, dry weather in winter and cool dry weather in summer to much of U.S

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10
Q

Highs that develop further south over land bring

A

Hot, dry weather in summer and mild, dry weather in winter

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11
Q

Cyclone

A

Low air pressure area, produce stormy weather

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12
Q

Visible satellite image

A

Identify specific type of weather systems (hurricane) but also the stage of life cycle and direction of movement analyzed from cloud patterns

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13
Q

Infrared satellite image

A

Uses IR radiation (invisible form of radiation that is emitted by all objects both day and night), can provide info at any time day or night

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14
Q

Water vapor satellite image

A

Identifies and tracks movement of moisture plumes within the atmosphere

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15
Q

Weather radar and what it compliments

A

Compliments satellite surveillance of atmosphere by locating and tracking movements of precipitation and monitors circulation within small scale low weather cycles (like thunderstorms)

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16
Q

What direction do anti cyclone surface winds blow and from where can it be viewed?

A

Can be viewed from N. Hemisphere, surface winds blow in clockwise and outward spiral

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17
Q

What is typical conditions of a broad area at the center of a high weather system?

A

Calm conditions and light winds

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18
Q

What is an exception of a low pressure system?

A

Lows that develop over broad regions of arid or semi arid terrain (desert Southwest, especially in summer)

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19
Q

What happens in arid/ semi arid areas when a low pressure system develops?

A

Intense solar heating of the ground raises air temp, lowering surface air pressure. Produces a low that remains stationary over hot ground and is not accompanied by stormy weather

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20
Q

What direction do cyclone surface winds blow and where is is viewed from?

A

Viewed from N. Hemisphere. Surface winds blow in counterclockwise and outward spiral

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21
Q

Air Mass

A

Huge volume of air that covers hundred of thousands of sq kilometers with relatively uniform temp and humidity properties horizontally

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22
Q

Front

A

Transition zone of air masses that differ in temp, humidity or both

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23
Q

Where do fronts form?

A

Form where contrasting air masses meet, associated air movements will give rise to cloudiness and precipitation

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24
Q

What are the common fronts? Describe each

A

Stationary- as name implies, on both sides of this front, wind blows roughly parallel to the front but in opposite directions

Warm Front - marks boundary between advancing relatively warm air and retreating cold air

Cold Front - marks boundary between advancing cold air and retreating warm air

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25
Q

Warm air is —- then cold air

A

Less dense

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26
Q

GOES

A

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, orbits earth about 36,000 km above earths equator.

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27
Q

POES

A

Polar- orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite.

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28
Q

Weather maps are used in what time?

A

Z time

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29
Q

What are time zones based on? How is it measured?

A

Longitude, measured as degrees East and west of prime meridian?

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30
Q

What is the prime meridian?

A

Zero degrees longitude

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31
Q

Where had early astronomical determination of time been made

A

Old Royal observatory in Greenwich, England

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32
Q

What is GMT

A

Greenwich Mean Time, based upon daily rotation of Earth with respect to a “mean sun”,

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33
Q

What is the preferred time system?

A

Coordinated Universal Time or Universel Temps Coordinne (UTC)

34
Q

How do you find time zone differences?

EX: Find the difference between Central Time Zone in NA with a longitude 90 degrees West

A

divide the central meridian of the time zone (based on location) by 15,the longitude in which the Earth rotates every hour. If west, time is behind GMT, if east, it is ahead.

35
Q

Low Pressure systems that track across the N. U.S or S. Canada are what and produce what more than further south?

A

More distant fro. Sources of moisture and produce less rain Or snowfall than lows that track further south.

36
Q

Weather on west and north of a cyclones path tends to be

A

Relatively cold

37
Q

Weather on the east and south of cyclones path tends to be

A

Relatively warm

38
Q

In the path of a low pressure system, winter snows are more likely

A

To the west and North of low pressure system path

39
Q

What is air mass typically associated

with? What does its specific characteristics depend on?

A

A high pressure system. It depends on the types of surfaces over which an air mass form and travels

40
Q

Where do Cold Air masses form?

A

At higher latitudes over surfaces that are often snow or ice covered

41
Q

Where do warm air masses form?

A

in lower latitudes where Earth’s surface is relatively warm

42
Q

An air mass modifies as

A

It moves away from its source region

43
Q

A cold air mass warms more if

A

It travels over ground that is bare rather than snow-covered

44
Q

Most cloudiness and precipitation associated with a warm front occurs over a

A

Broad band, in advance where front intersects Earth’s surface

45
Q

Widespread precipitation ahead of warm front is generally

A

Light to moderate in intensity, may persist at particular location for 12-24 hrs or longer

46
Q

Most cloudiness and precipitation associated with a cold front occurs as a

A

Narrow band, just ahead of where the front intersects earth’s surface

47
Q

Cold front precipitation is

A

Often showery and may last a few minutes to a few hours, but it very intense

48
Q

Tropical Storms and hurricanes impact Atlantic and Gulf coasts primarily

A

August through October

49
Q

Serve thunderstorms and tornadoes are most common in

A

Spring and early summer in U.S

50
Q

Maximum temperature is

A

Highest air temperature recorded over 24 hr period

51
Q

Maximum temps typically occur

A

In the early to mid-afternoon

52
Q

Minimum temp is

A

Lowest air temp recorded over 24 hr period

53
Q

Minimum temp typically occurs

A

Around sunrise

54
Q

Dew point (frost point)

A

Temperature where air must be cooled at a constant pressure to become saturated with water vapor and for dew to begin forming on relatively cold surfaces

55
Q

Relative Humidity

A

Measure of actual concentration of water vapor component of air compared to concentration the air would have if saturated with water vapor

56
Q

Relative humidity is expressed

A

As a percentage

57
Q

Relative humidity is highest

A

During the coldest time of day (sunrise)

58
Q

Relative humidity is lowest

A

During warmest time of day

59
Q

Air pressure is expressed in

A

Millibars (mb)

60
Q

Wind direction is the compass direction

A

From which the wind blows

61
Q

Sky cover is

A

Based on the fraction of the sky that is cloud covered

62
Q

Types of Sky Covers (5)

A

Clear - No clouds

A few clouds- (1/8 to 2/8 cover)

Scattered- (3/8 to 4/8)

Broken- 5/8 to 7/8

Overcast- completely covered

63
Q

Weather Watch

A

Possible based on current or anticipated atmospheric conditions, occurrence timing or exact location is uncertain

64
Q

Weather Warning

A

Hazardous weather is happening, imminent, or had very high probability of occurring

65
Q

Where does GOES satellite revolve around

A

Earth at the same rate and in the same direction as the planet rotates as it is always positioned over the same spot on earths surface and its sensors have a consistent field of view

66
Q

What is sub-satellite point, where is it

A

Location on earths surface directly below satellite. It is in the equator

67
Q

GOES is complemented by Polar orbiting satellites to

A

Best observe poles

68
Q

Tops of High clouds are

A

Colder than low clouds and emit less intense IR radiation

69
Q

In IR satellite image, High clouds appear

A

Bright white

70
Q

Low clouds appear

A

Darker and warmer

71
Q

What cannot be detected on visible and infrared satellite images and why

A

Water vapor because it is invisible

72
Q

How can water vapor be detected on IR satellite and Visible satellite

A

Water vapor absorbs and emits certain wavelength bands of IR radiation, sensitivity of waverlengths of these weather satellite detect water vapor

73
Q

What indicates no water vapor on water vapor satellite images

A

On a grayscale, dark gray indicates almost no water vapor

74
Q

What indicates high concentration of water vapor on satellite image

A

Appear milky white

75
Q

Weather Radar

A

Locates and tracks movement of areas of precipitation and monitoring the circulation within small scale weather systems

76
Q

What does the weather radar continually emits?

A

Pulses of microwave energy reflected by atmospheric targets (raindrops, snowflakes or hail stones)

77
Q

Reflected signal on radar is displayed as

A

Blotches (radar echos)

78
Q

The heavy the precipitation on a weather radar,

A

The more intense echo

79
Q

Echo intensity is calibrated on

A

Color scale (light green is light rain, dark red is heavy rain or hail)

80
Q

From analysis of radar echos, meteorologists can determine

A

Intensity of thunderstorms, track movement of areas of precipitation and predict where it begins or ends

Meteorology Exam 1 (CH 1, 2, and 3) (3 decks)

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