Exam 3 (2)

Geography 210 with Splinter at University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

About this deck

By: Cally Kretchmer
Textbook:

Introducing Physical Geography
Created: 2011-04-06
Size: 37 flashcards
Views: 16

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sleet

rain that freezes high enough above the ground to turn into solid ice.

freezing rain

freezing rain is liquid precipitation that freezes on contact with the surface due to a very shallow layer of cold air at or near the surface.

air mass thunderstorms

isolated storms generated by surface convection caused by daytime heating

Gustfront

when downdraft spreads out at the surface

wind sheer

change of wind speed or direction with height

supercell t-storms

massive thunderstorms with a single circulation cell with very strong up down drafts

microbursts

are a characteristic of severe storms as an intense downdraft (downburst accompanies the gust front.

straightline winds

when the downdraft hits the wind it spreads out in all directions

smog

when aerosols and gaseous pollutants are present in considerable density over urban areas

fallout

large particles soon settle out due to gravity returning to the surface.

washout

when smaller particles are removed via precipitation

adiabatic principle

when air warms up with no added energy when compressed

dry adibatic lapse rate

describes rising air parcel that has not been cooled to saturation.

Does NOT vary

air will cool/warm by 10 degrees celsius for every kilometer of elevation

environmental lapse rate

describes temp change of still air as it varies through atmosphere

varies from time to time

lifting condensation level

as air rises and cools it reaches its saturation point and begins to condense and form clouds

clouds: stratus

flat and cover broad area

clouds: alto

mid level height

clouds: cirrus

high level and or frozen clouds

Clouds: cumulus

range from small to intense thunderstorms

Clouds nimbus

implies that cloud is precipitating

cumulonimbus-associated with storms

radiation fog

forms at night when air at ground cools

advection fog

forms when warm moist air moves over cold surface

bergeron process

snow forms in clouds in a different process known as this

air can be moved in 4 ways:

-orographic lifting

-convection

-movement of air masses

-convergence

Orographic precipitation

occurs when air is lifted upward and over mountain barrier

as moist air is lifted over a mountain it cools and condenses causing rain/snow

rainshadow effect

water vapor increases, creating warm dry conditions on leeward side of mtn

Convective Precipitation

-air forced upward

-rises because it is warmer and less dense

-if rises enough, it forms cloud and maybe participation (cumulus clouds_

unstable air

if ELR is greater (cools more quickly) than the DAR or MAR, air is able to rise freely

-severe t-storms would form under these conditions

stable

If ELR is less than than MAR air is stable

conditionally unstable

if ELR is between two

Unstable air masses

-intense t-storms and severe weather common

Types of Precipitation

rain

snow

sleet

graupel

hail

virga

rain

forms either by collision and coalescence or by Bergeron Process

hail

needs thunderstorm

formed as layers of ice accumulates as updrafts

usually begins as graupel and layers are added as it rises and falls

3 stage cycle of air mass thunderstorms: cumulus stage

unequal heating causes air to rise and cool, creating clouds and raindrops

3 stage cycle of air mass thunderstorms: mature stage

instability increases and convection reaches greater heights

-as down drafts exist, updrafts carry the cloud high into atmosphere, creating anvil shape as upper level winds spread the cloud out

3 stage cycle of air mass thunderstorms: dissipation stage

eventually surrounding air stablizes storm

About this deck

By: Cally Kretchmer
Textbook:

Introducing Physical Geography
Created: 2011-04-06
Size: 37 flashcards
Views: 16

About StudyBlue

“Simply amazing. The flash cards are smooth, there are many different types of studying tools, and there is a great search engine. I praise you on the awesomeness.”
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