Key Terms Flashcards
Cumuliform
Lumpy clouds caused by convection (updrafts) from the surface (vertically rising air)- Reach dew point at a lower altitude
Stratiform
Layer clouds that develop where air moves horizontally across a cooler surface (advection)
Cirrus
Wispy clouds that form at a high altitude; made from tiny ice crystals; they DO NOT produce precipitation, so they have little influence on the water cycle- Reach dew point at a higher altitude
Environmental lapse rate (ELR)
Vertical temperature profile of the lower atmosphere- Average temperature drop of 6.5°C for every kilometre of altitude gained
Dry adiabatic lapse rate (DALR)
The rate at which a parcel of air cools, caused by adiabatic expansion (10°C/km approx.)
Saturated adiabatic lapse rate (SALR)
The rate at which a saturated parcel of air cools as it rises through the atmosphere. Because condensation releases latent heat, it cools at 7°C approx.
Ablation
When ice/snow melts
Streamflow
Rain that falls directly into the river
Water balance equation
Precipitation = Evapotranspiration + Runoff +/- Change in storage
Positive water balance
Precipitation is greater than evapotranspiration
Negative water balance
Precipitation is less than evapotranspiration
Latent heat
Where the water itself is not heated, but still changes state (evaporation from puddles)
Dew point
The temperature at which the air is fully saturated so cannot take more water vapour, therefore condensation occurs
Causes of precipitation
Relief rainfall/Orographic, frontal rainfall, convectional rainfall
Saltwater incursion
Where coastal aquifers are extracted from too much, causing nearby saltwater to get into the well
