Meteorology Definitions

Atmosphere

"The ocean of gasses" that surround our earth.

Troposphere

The lowest, densest part of the atmosphere.

Wind

The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure.

Water Cycle

The movement of moisture between the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere is called ___ _____ _____.

Stratosphere

A very dry area above the Troposphere.

Ozone Layer

Absorbs ultraviolet radiation from the sun atop the stratosphere.

Humidity

Amount of water vapor in the air.

Psychrometer

An example of how a combination of instruments can help form a set of data on a single given effect. These measure relative humidity with a wet bulb and a dry bulb.

Precipitation

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.

Front

Boundary between two air masses.

Fossil Fuels

Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.

Ultraviolet Radiation

Damaging radiation from the sun.

Transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant.

Greenhouse Gases

Gasses responsible for heating up our planet including water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide.

High Pressure System

It is associated with colder, denser air. It is found at the center of an anticyclone.

Low Pressure System

It is associated with warmer, less dense air. It is found at the center of a cyclone.

Air Mass

Large sections of the troposphere with equivalent temperatures and humidity.

Climate

Overall weather in an area over a long period of time (30 years).

Photosynthesis

Plants take in CO2 and release O2.

Chlorofluorocarbons

Synthetic pollutants that damage our ozone layer because they create chlorine which hits zone molecules and steals their oxygen molecules.

Prevailing Wind

The direction that the wind is coming from.

Stratified

The division of the atmosphere.

Coriolis Effect

The effect air has on the wind because if the earth's rotation in either hemisphere.

Air Pressure

The force exerted by air, whether compressed or unconfined, on any surface in contact with it.

Weather

The short term state of the atmosphere.

Thermometer

These measure temperature. Scientists usually take these readings at set locations and altitudes.

Anemometer

These measure wind strength and direction and provide vital information on where and how fast storms are moving.

Barometer

These use air or mercury to measure the pressure of the atmosphere. Changes in pressure can show what types of weather patterns are developing.