Weather Flashcards
Humidity
the amount of water vapor in the air
Condensation
occurs when water vapor cools and changes from a gas to liquid
Evaporation
occurs when liquid water changes into water vapor
Precipitation
occurs when rain, snow, sleet, or hail falls from the clouds onto Earth’s surface
Runoff
water, usually from precipitation
Lightning
an electric discharge that takes place between two oppositely charged surfaces, such as between a cloud and the ground, between two clouds, or between two parts of the same cloud
Thunder
the sound caused by the rapid expansion of air long an electrical strike
Tornado
a destructive, rotating column of air that has very high wind speeds, is visible as a funnel-shaped cloud, ad touches the ground
Hurricane
a severe storm that develops over tropical oceans and whose strong winds of more than 120 km/h spiral in toward the intensely low-pressure storm center
Cumulus Cloud
Cumulus clouds are clouds which have flat bases and are often described as “puffy”, “cotton-like” or “fluffy” in appearance. Their name derives from the Latin cumulo-, meaning heap or pile.
Stratus Cloud
Stratus clouds are low-level clouds characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base, as opposed to convective or cumuliform clouds that are formed by rising thermals.
Cirrus Cloud
Cirrus is a genus of atmospheric cloud generally characterized by thin, wispy strands, giving the type its name from the Latin word cirrus, meaning a ringlet or curling lock of hair.
Cumulonimbus Cloud
Cumulonimbus, from the Latin cumulus and nimbus, is a dense, towering vertical cloud associated with thunderstorms and atmospheric instability, forming from water vapor carried by powerful upward air currents.
Rain
Rain is liquid water in the form of droplets that have condensed from atmospheric water vapor and then becomes heavy enough to fall under gravity
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