unit 9 review

stratus clouds

lowest clouds (6,500 ft and below) layered like thin sheets covering most of the sky; means "layer" in Latin

Weather and climate are different because

weather is less predictable while climate is predictable

stationary front

when a cold air mass and warm air mass flow parallel with neither mass invading the other; weather can be unpredictable, but more resembling a warm front (light precipitation)

cold font

when a cold air mass runs into a warm air mass, the cold air pushes the warm air up forcefully, creating cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds; thunderstorms and very bad weather are likely

warm front

when a warm air mass runs into a cold air mass, the warm air rises slowly, creating nimbostratus, altostratus, or cirrostratus clouds; possible light precipitation

occluded front

when two cold air masses trap a warm air mass, the cold air pushes the warm air up and the boundary that exists is between two similar air masses—cold and cooler air; clouds and precipitation are likely

If you live near the ocean and then move inland, you'll notice _____.

your summers will be hotter and winters colder

a lot of precipitation

life thrives, as in rainforests.

seasons are a result of

Earth's tilt on its axis

subtropical

Most deserts are along this zone.

temperate

Most of the U.S. is in this zone.

source region

The location where an air mass forms

polar

This zone is the coldest.

tropical

This zone is the hottest.

Factors that contribute to climate change are: a)Milankovitch cycles b)plate tectonics c)volcanic activity d)solar output

a) changes in Earth's tilt and orbit b) changes in the locations of continents and oceans c) usually causes short-term cooling d) periodically can increase or decrease

forms of precipitation a)rain b)snow c)sleet d)hail

a) liquid water; forms when water vapor condenses into a liquid b)soft, light, ice crystals; forms when water vapor condenses at freezing temperatures (below 32°F or 0°C) directly into ice c) a mix of snow and rain; usually starts as a liquid and then freezes d)clumps of hard ice; forms often in thunderstorm clouds as ice crystals freeze over-and-over again, growing in size, then fall as hail when too heavy

climate zones a)tropical b)subtropical c)temperate d)polar

a)nearest the equator; warm temperatures year-round; daily showers due to a low-pressure belt and warm, rising, moist air b)north and south of the equator between 25° and 30° latitude; high-pressure zone with clear skies and often dry, descending air; includes many desert climates of Earth c)between 40° and 60° latitude; experiences all four seasons; can be two types: maritime is near water, with moderate temperatures; continental is inland where temperatures are more extreme d)above 60° latitude; usually covered by snow and ice all year because the high latitude gets less solar radiation; high-pressure system of cold, descending, dry air

maritime tropical

warm and very moist air that forms over tropical water

continental polar

also called, continental arctic; dry and cold; forms over land, snow, and ice

air masses

calm, a large body of air of uniform temperature and humidity can form

maritime polar

cold and moist air that forms over polar waters

Climates with a lot of precipitation most often have

diverse vegetation and life

continental tropical

dry and warm air that forms over warm, land regions

Earth's climate has been stable throughout its history.

false

Choose all that apply. If you are outside during a tornado, what should you do to stay as safe as possible?

find a ditch and lie down flat at its lowest point, and remain there until the tornado passes get into the nearest building, and remain at the lowest level until tornado passes

What happens to water vapor as it rises in the atmosphere?

it cools and condenses

When two different air masses collide, a _____ is formed.

front

Cold fronts produce _____ precipitation, and warm fronts produce _____ precipitation.

heavy, light

cirrus clouds

highest clouds (20,000 ft and above) wispy, like feathers; means "curl" in Latin

The source region of this _____ air mass is over the southern Atlantic Ocean.

maritime tropical

alto clouds

medium clouds (6,500-20,000 ft)

cumulus

puffy, fluffy, mounded; means "heap" in Latin

Meteorologists, with the help of weather station data and computers, use many weather tools to help forecast the weather, such as _____.

radiosondes Doppler radars psychrometers barometers

The Sierra Nevada Mountains display diverse vegetation on their western side, but barren desert on their eastern side. Why does this difference exist?

rain shadow wffwct

_____ is fluffy ice crystals, while _____ is water droplets that freeze on the way down to Earth.

snow, sleet

Climates and weather activities are driven by _____.

solar energy

Severe weather that has caused deaths includes _____.

thunderstorms hurricanes tornadoes floods droughts

If you're out driving during a thunderstorm, it's best to stay in your car.

true

little precipitation

usually have little vegetation and animal life, as in deserts.