Humidity 2 Flashcards
(43 cards)
What is absolute humidity?
The mass of water vapor present in a given volume of air.
Used to measure the actual amount of moisture in the air.
What does saturation humidity refer to?
The maximum amount of water vapor that air can hold at a given temperature and pressure.
Influenced by temperature; can be determined using tables or formulas.
Define relative humidity.
The ratio of the current absolute humidity to the maximum possible absolute humidity at a given temperature.
Formula: RH = (actual vapor pressure / saturation vapor pressure) × 100.
What is dew point temperature?
The temperature at which air becomes saturated and water vapor condenses into liquid water.
Controlled by the amount of moisture in the air.
What is the normal environmental lapse rate?
The rate at which temperature decreases with an increase in altitude in the atmosphere.
Typically about 6.5°C per kilometer.
What is the dry adiabatic lapse rate?
The rate at which dry air cools as it rises, approximately 10°C per kilometer.
Used in solving problems related to the ascent of dry air.
Define moist adiabatic lapse rate.
The rate at which moist air cools as it rises, approximately 6°C per kilometer.
It differs from the dry adiabatic lapse rate due to the release of latent heat during condensation.
What is the difference between the windward and leeward side of a mountain?
Windward side receives moist air and precipitation; leeward side is drier and may form a rainshadow.
The rainshadow effect occurs due to orographic lifting.
How do condensation and precipitation differ?
Condensation is the process of water vapor turning into liquid; precipitation is the falling of water in any form from the atmosphere.
Precipitation includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
What are the four types of condensation?
- Dew
- Frost
- Clouds
- Fog
Each type forms under different conditions and has unique characteristics.
What are the main cloud types and their attributes?
- Cirrus: wispy, high-altitude clouds
- Cumulus: fluffy, white clouds
- Stratus: flat, gray clouds
- Nimbus: rain-bearing clouds
Each type signifies different weather conditions.
What are the basic forms of precipitation?
- Rain
- Snow
- Sleet
- Freezing rain
- Hail
Sleet and freezing rain differ in their formation and temperature conditions.
What are the four principal types of lifting that lead to precipitation?
- Convection
- Orographic lifting
- Frontal lifting
- Convergence
Each type induces cooling and condensation of moisture-laden air.
Define air masses.
Large bodies of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics.
Two characteristics: source region and stability; types include maritime, continental, polar, and tropical.
What is a cold front?
The leading edge of a cooler air mass replacing a warmer air mass.
Portrayed on maps with blue triangles pointing in the direction of movement.
What is a warm front?
The leading edge of a warmer air mass replacing a cooler air mass.
Portrayed on maps with red semicircles pointing in the direction of movement.
What are frontal storms (mid-latitude cyclones)?
Storm systems formed at the boundary between cold and warm air masses.
They influence weather conditions at mid-latitudes and can lead to severe weather.
What is an occluded front?
A front formed when a cold front overtakes a warm front, lifting the warm air off the ground.
Portrayed on maps with purple triangles and semicircles.
Define stationary fronts.
A boundary between two air masses that are not moving significantly.
Portrayed on maps with alternating blue triangles and red semicircles.
What are hurricanes?
Intense tropical storms with strong winds and heavy rain, forming over warm ocean waters.
They require specific environmental conditions and can be extremely destructive.
What are tornadoes?
Violently rotating columns of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.
Safety factors include seeking shelter; watch indicates potential, warning indicates occurrence.
What are the characteristics of thunderstorms?
- Cumulonimbus clouds
- Lightning and thunder
- Heavy precipitation
Caused by warm, moist air rising rapidly.
What do climographs represent?
Graphs showing temperature and precipitation amounts and distributions over the year.
Used for climate interpretation.
What are climate controls (Lame Cows)?
Factors that influence the climate of a region.
Includes latitude, altitude, maritime influence, and landforms.
