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.