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Weather and Climate > Weather and Climate: Ch. 6 > Flashcards

Weather and Climate: Ch. 6 Flashcards

1
Q

Instrument used to measure air pressure and monitor changes

A

Barometer

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2
Q

Most accurate and first invented type of barometer

A

Mercury Barometer

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3
Q

When was the Mercury Barometer invented?

A

1643

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4
Q

Most common type of home barometer

A

Aneroid (no liquid) Barometer

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5
Q

Rising air pressure = …

A

continued fair or clearing weather

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6
Q

Falling air pressure = …

A

signals approach of stormy weather

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7
Q

lines that connect points of equal pressure

A

Isobars

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8
Q

Isobars are _____ black lines at intervals of __ mb

A

solid; 4

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9
Q

What is isobars base value

A

1000 mb

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10
Q

Surface maps/isobars show variations in ________ along a ________ surface (sea level)

A

pressure; horizontal

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11
Q

Commonly used to study weather above surface

A

Upper atmosphere charts

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12
Q

Major weather systems travel here

A

500 mb (18,000’) chart

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13
Q

Elongated high pressure areas

A

Ridges

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14
Q

In ridges, ______ air moving _______

A

warm; poleward

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15
Q

Elongated low pressure areas

A

Troughs

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16
Q

In troughs, ______ air moving towards _________

A

cold; equator

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17
Q

What is the main cause of pressure differences and wind?

A

unequal heating of Earth’s surface

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18
Q

Winds blow from _____ to ____ pressure

A

high to low

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19
Q

What 3 forces influence winds?

A
  1. Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)
  2. Coriolis Effect
  3. Friction (only affects surface winds)
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20
Q

Difference in pressure over distance, directed perpendicular to isobars from high to low

A

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

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21
Q

Force that causes wind to blow

A

Pressure Gradient Force (PGF)

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22
Q

Pressure gradient force is big for _______

A

SPEED

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23
Q

In PGF, closely spaced isobars = …

A

steep pressure gradient

24
Q

In PGF, widely spaced isobars = …

A

gentle pressure gradient

25
Q

Steep pressure gradient produces _____ winds

A

strong

26
Q

Gentle pressure gradient = ______ winds

A

light

27
Q

Apparent deflection due to rotation of earth

A

The Coriolis Effect

28
Q

In the Coriolis Effect, object deflect to _____ in northern hemisphere

A

right

29
Q

In the Coriolis Effect, object deflect to _____ in southern hemisphere

A

left

30
Q

In Coriolis Effect, stronger the wind = …

A

greater the deflection

31
Q

Coriolis effect is strongest at _____ and weakens to ________

A

poles; equator

32
Q

The Coriolis effect influences _________, not ______

A

direction; speed

33
Q

The Coriolis effect only has significant impact over _____ distances

A

long

34
Q

Frictional drag of ground slows surface winds, reducing …

A

Coriolis Force

35
Q

Influences wind in first mile of atmosphere

A

Friction

36
Q

Blows parallel to straight isobars at altitudes above friction layer

A

Geostrophic Wind

37
Q

Balance between PGF and Coriolis force

A

Geostrophic Wind

38
Q

Wind that blows parallel to curved isobars above friction layer

A

Gradient Wind

39
Q

Gradient wind viewed above in northern hemisphere, blow _________ in anticyclones (high)

A

clockwise

40
Q

Gradient wind viewed above in northern hemisphere, blow ____________ in cyclones (low)

A

counterclockwise

41
Q

Friction causes winds at surface to blow at an angle across isobars from high to low pressure

A

Surface Winds

42
Q

In surface winds, winds cross isobars at about ___

A

30°

43
Q

In northern hemisphere, surface winds blow clockwise and …

A

out of high

44
Q

In northern hemisphere, surface winds blow counterclockwise and …

A

into a low

45
Q

In surface winds, in center of a high, winds are ________

A

diverging (descending)

46
Q

In surface winds, in center of a low, winds are ________

A

converging (lifting)

47
Q

In surface winds, ________ is frequently a stormy weather system

A

cyclone

48
Q

To locate the center of storms, stand with your ____ to wind, center of lowest pressure will be to your _____, turn clockwise about ___ to surface wind

A

back; left; 30°

49
Q

Wind that blows consistently from one direction more than from any other

A

Prevailing wind

50
Q

Prevailing winds, dominate _____ _______

A

wind direction

51
Q

Prevailing winds can …

A

greatly affect a climate

52
Q

Winds are labeled by direction from which they blow

A

Wind Vane

53
Q

Measures wind speed

A

Anemometer

54
Q

Cylindrical clumps of snow often with a hole extending lengthwise

A

Snow Rollers

55
Q

Snow Rollers are ______

A

rare

56
Q

What is the windiest region in the US?

A

Central Plains

57
Q

What is the average wind speed in the Central Plains?

A

12 mph

Weather and Climate (11 decks)

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