Social Studies - Weathering the Storm Flashcards
(48 cards)
Weather
the day to day conditions of the atmosphere. this includes temperature, rain and wind
Climate
the average weather conditions of a place usually measured over one year
Polar zone
Temperatures are cold all year and is extremely cold and dark in winter. Little to no rainfall
Tropical zone
Temperatures are hot all year and rainfall is high
Temperate zone
4 distinct seasons, temperature is mild to warm and has moderate rainfall
Continental climate
the climate on the continents interior, which typically has temperature extremes and low precipitation
Precipitation
Any liquid or frozen water that forms in the atmosphere and falls back to the earth
Maritime climate
a coastal climate which typically has mild temperature and high precipitation
Microclimate
a local set of atmospheric conditions that differ from those in surrounding areas
Latitude
refers to the location of a place on the globe near the equator. The lower the latitude (equator is 0) the higher the temperature due to the angle of the axis of the earth
Relief
Relief is the shape of the earth - mountains and valleys which influences both rain and wind
What are the 3 ways relief affects NZ’s climate
rainshadow
wind funneling
orographic rainfall
What is rainshadow
A dry area on the leeward sids of a mountainous area. The mountains block the passage of rain producing weather systems with moisture loosing in the air, advances across the mountains creating a drier side
What is an example of rainshadow
Christchurch, Nelson, Alexandra
Wind funneling
whereby wind is forced to flow through a narrow opening between adjacent land areas, resulting in increased wind speed.
What is convectional rainfall
when warm surface air expands and carries moisture into the air. if the ground is wet it makes the rising air extremely moist which builds up into rain and storms
What is frontal rainfall
when warm moist air meets with cold air during the passing of a depression (low pressure) the warm air is forced to rise over the cool air which creates rain
What is relief/orographic rainfall
when warm, moist air meets the mountain barrier and tries to find a path around it and if not it is forced to rise. as it rises, the air will cool and some of the air will turn into rain
What is altitude
refers to height above sea level. as Air rises it cools so locations at a high altitude are colder than locations at a lower altitude
Size of a landmass
Land heats and cools more quickly than the sea. Continental and maritime climates impact the temperature of the land due to sea cooling it down
Proximity to the sea
Sea breezes coming off the ocean cool the temperature down, in winter the ocean is warmer so breezes coming off the ocean tend to warm up the atmosphere
Ocean currents
where air masses pass over warm ocean currents are warmed, while air masses passing over cold ocean currents are cooled
Wind and pressure systems
At the equator, the pressure is low, whilst the polar regions have high pressure. In between there are the sub tropical high-pressure air masses is NZ’s northerly winds which are warm. Southerly winds are cool
What are the rules to interpret weather maps
Air moves anti-clockwise in an anticyclone
Air moves clockwise in a depression
Air moves parallel to the isobars
Closely spaced isobars indicate strong winds
Widely spaced isobars indicate gentle breezes
Anticyclones bring clear skies, warm temperatures and gentle breezes
Depressions give rain, cool temperatures and stronger winds
