Meteorology HW

Average weather of a particular area over a long period of time - Includes annual variations in temperatures and precipitation, which are influenced by latitude, closeness of lakes and oceans, topography, wind patterns and air masses.

Warm ocean current that develops off the western coast of South America and can cause short-term climatic changes felt worldwide.

Amount of water vapor in the air

Divides climates into five basic types, based on the mean monthly values of temperature and precipitation and types of vegetation.

Cloud formation that occurs when warm moist air is forced to rise up the side of a mountain.

Layer of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone; absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation

Increase in temperature with height in an atmospheric level, which inverts the temperature-altitude relationship and can worsen air-pollution problems.

Large body of air that takes on the characteristics of the area over which it forms; can be described by its stability, temperature, and humidity.

Deflects moving particles, such as air, to the right above the equator and to the left below the equator; caused by the Earth's rotation and combines with the heat imbalance found on Earth to create the trade winds, polar easterlies, and prevailing westerlies.

Change in the wave frequency that occurs in energy when that energy moves toward or away from an observer.

Boundary between two air masses of differing densities; can be cold, warm, stationary, or occluded and can stretch over large areas of Earth's surface.

Branch of Earth science that studies the air that surrounds our planet - includes the study of atmospheric phenomena such as fog, clouds, snow, rain and lightning.

Violent, whirling column of air in contact with the ground that forms when wind direction and speed suddenly change with height, is often associated with a supercell, and can be extremely damaging.