Weather And Climate Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is the definition of weather?
Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in a specific place at a specific time.
What is climate?
Climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a particular area over a significant period.
True or False: Weather can change rapidly, while climate is stable.
True
What are the main components of weather?
Temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and atmospheric pressure.
What instrument is used to measure temperature?
Thermometer
What is the primary driver of weather and climate?
The Sun
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
atmosphere
Which gas is most abundant in the Earth’s atmosphere?
Nitrogen
What is the water cycle?
The continuous process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation of water in the environment.
Which type of cloud is typically associated with thunderstorms?
Cumulonimbus
What scale is used to measure tornado intensity?
Enhanced Fujita Scale
True or False: The Coriolis effect influences wind direction.
True
What are the three main climate zones?
Tropical, temperate, and polar.
Which phenomenon is characterized by a significant increase in global temperatures?
Global warming
What is a drought?
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The process by which certain gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, keeping it warm.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.
tropopause
What type of front occurs when a warm air mass meets a cold air mass?
Warm front
What does the term ‘climatology’ refer to?
The study of climate and its variations.
What is a blizzard?
A severe snowstorm with strong sustained winds and low visibility.
True or False: El Niño is a climate pattern that affects global weather.
True
What is the main cause of ocean currents?
Wind and the Earth’s rotation.
What is humidity?
The amount of water vapor present in the air.
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average of those conditions.