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Flashcards in unit 6, exam 2 Deck (15)
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1
Q

Norwegian cyclone model

A

early model, explored the variance in air mass types, fronts and cyclones, derived primarily from surface weather observations.

2
Q

cyclogenesis

A

the birth of a cyclone, occurs along the polar front, directly under an area of strong horizontal divergence in the upper troposphere
-both short waves and long waves in the westerlies provide upper air lift for the development of cyclones

3
Q

Jet stream

A

relatively narrow corridors of very strong winds within the atmosphere

  • determine storm track
  • results from strong P gradient that develops in response to temperature gradients where the 3 hemisphere wind belts meet.
4
Q

ingredients for cyclogenesis

A
  • weak atmosphere stability:favor air moving up
  • nearby warm some, humid air, favors condensation, increase in buoyancy
  • strong horizontal T gradients in lower troposphere that gives rise to fronts
  • jet stream oriented above
5
Q

rossby waves

A

ridge and trough patterns that influence where cyclones are made because of regions of divergence and convergence
-effects regional climate

6
Q

favorable regions of cyclones

A

alberta clipper
nor’easter
Colorado low

7
Q

Alberta clipper-

A

principle tracks of cyclones that develop to the lee fo the Canadian rockies in Alberta and travel rapidly east across souther Canada or northern states

8
Q

nor’easter

A

the principal tracks of Cylcones that track toward the NE along the east coast

9
Q

colorado low

A

forms in Colorado in winter and moves across the great plains. L P

10
Q

trade wind inversions and sub tropical highs

A

responsible for wet and dry weather

11
Q

meridional flow

A

n-s air flow

  • weak meridional=cold air masses stay in N, warm in S
  • strong=cold and warm masses collide creating extratropical cyclones
12
Q

zonal flow

A

w-e air flow

13
Q

blocking pattern

A

a cutoff low or a cutoff high that prevents the usual W-E movement of the weather systems
-cause drought, flooding, or excess heat or cold

14
Q

arctic amplification

A

the idea that the poles warm quicker than the tropics and the equator-pole temperature gradient is reduced which causes jet stream to change in strength. More meridional flow which increases blocking patterns

15
Q

major drivers of regional climate

A
Latitudes
Mountaints
oceans
elevation
land surface uses