Meteorology Chapters 12-15 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is climate and how is it different than weather?

Climate is weather averaged over many decades; weather is what is happening now.

What scales of climate are there?

Microclimate, mesoclimate, macroclimate, global climate.

What are the primary climate controllers?

Latitude, land and water, ocean currents, prevailing winds, pressure areas, mountain barriers, altitude.

Where and why are the wettest areas?

Precipitation is most abundant at the ITCZ (equator) and around 45 degrees due to rising air. Signup and view all the answers

What do mountains do to climate zones?

Mountains cause a transition from one climate zone to another as elevation increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Koppen classification system?

A system that relates vegetation and climate to predict climate types without climatological data. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 6 primary climate regions?

Tropical, mesothermal, microthermal, polar, desert, highland. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes tropical climates?

Year-round warm temperatures with varying rainfall patterns: rainforest, monsoon, savanna. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between mesothermal and microthermal climates?

Mesothermal climates have warm summers and do not average below freezing; microthermal climates do. Signup and view all the answers

What is polar climate characterized by?

A tundra where land is covered in snow for 8-10 months and temperatures remain below freezing. Signup and view all the answers

How is climate change defined?

A change in the average temperature caused by both natural processes and human activities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the IPCC?

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a worldwide organization that monitors climate change. Signup and view all the answers

How do we reconstruct past climates?

Using ice cores, tree rings, sediments, and various geological and biological indicators. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if all the land ice melts?

All of the Atlantic coast would disappear. Signup and view all the answers

Was Earth's past climate warmer?

True Signup and view all the answers

What have temperatures done over the last century?

Continued to increase at a rapid rate, mostly due to human activities. Signup and view all the answers

What is climate feedback?

Interactions in the climate system that can amplify or dampen climate change effects. Signup and view all the answers

What do volcanic eruptions do to global climate?

They release greenhouse gases, initially causing cooling due to ash in the atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary greenhouse gas?

Water vapor. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas?

CO2 (carbon dioxide). Signup and view all the answers

What have CO2 levels done in the last 200 years?

They have increased by 50-60%. Signup and view all the answers

What is acid deposition?

A result of burning substances that releases sulfur compounds, creating acidic rain. Signup and view all the answers

What do clouds do to incoming solar radiation?

They scatter most of it, giving clouds a white color. Signup and view all the answers

What influences residence time for pollution?

Gravity, precipitation, reactions with other chemicals, and wind. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way air pollution is generated?

Combustion. Signup and view all the answers

What is the urban heat island effect?

A phenomenon where urban areas become warmer than their rural surroundings. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to pollution levels during high-pressure systems?

Pollution levels are maximized due to stable conditions and sinking air. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Climate vs. Weather

Climate refers to long-term weather averages over decades.
Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions.

Scales of Climate

Microclimate: Small, localized area with consistent surface properties.
Mesoclimate: Climate of regions like forests, valleys, and towns.
Macroclimate: Climate of large areas, such as states or small nations.
Global Climate: Overall climate of the entire Earth.

Primary Climate Controllers

Latitude influences solar energy received.
Land and water distribution affect temperatures and precipitation.
Ocean currents regulate heat transfer across regions.
Prevailing winds determine moisture and temperature patterns.
Topography, including mountain barriers and altitude, influences local climates.

Global Precipitation Patterns

Highest precipitation occurs where air rises, particularly at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) near the equator and at 45-degree latitudes.

Mountains and Climate Zones

Mountains create varying climate zones with elevation changes, complicating climate classifications.

Koppen Climate Classification

The Koppen system connects climate types with vegetation patterns, predicting climates without extensive data.

Primary Climate Regions

Six major climate regions: Tropical, Mesothermal, Microthermal, Polar, Desert, and Highland.

Tropical Climate Characteristics

Consistently warm temperatures year-round.
Rainforest: consistent rainfall.
Monsoon: rainy season half the year.
Savanna: distinct wet and dry seasons.

Mesothermal Climate

Humid Subtropical: moist, hot summers, prevalent in Charlotte.
Marine West Coast: moist with cool to warm summers.
Mediterranean: hot, dry summers.

Microthermal Climate

Humid Continental: hot summers with cold winters.
Subarctic: cool summers and very cold winters.

Polar Climate Features

Tundra: long periods of snow cover; very cold conditions.
Ice cap: consistently below freezing temperatures.

Arid and Semi-arid Definitions

Defined by precipitation levels lower than evaporation.
Arid regions correspond to deserts, while semi-arid receive slightly more precipitation.

Xerophytic Plants

Drought-resistant plants adapted to desert conditions.

Climate Change Definition

Climate change is identified by rises in average global temperatures, driven by natural and human-induced factors.

IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change monitors and reports on climate change.

Past Climate Reconstruction

Methods include ice cores, tree rings, sediments, and geologic evidence to understand historical climate conditions.

Impact of Melting Ice

Complete melting of land ice would significantly submerge coastal areas, particularly along the Atlantic coast.

Historical Global Temperatures

Earth's climate has been warmer in the past, with polar regions once ice-free, influenced by volcanic activity.

Temperature Trends

Global temperatures have risen rapidly over the last century, primarily due to human activities.

Climate Feedback and Solar Changes

The sun's intensity is variable over time, influencing climate through feedback mechanisms.

Volcanic Eruptions and Climate

Eruptions emit greenhouse gases while ash can temporarily cool the planet.

Eccentricity, Precession, and Obliquity

Eccentricity: Earth's distance from the sun varies.
Precession: Earth's axial tilt direction changes.
Obliquity: Variation in Earth's axial tilt.

Natural Ice Ages

Correlated with Earth's tilt away from the sun and increased distance, leading to cooler temperatures.

Human Influence on Climate

Deforestation and pollution (CO2 and methane emissions) significantly affect climate systems.

Greenhouse Gases

Water vapor is the primary greenhouse gas, followed by anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

CO2 Levels

CO2 levels have increased by 50-60% over the past 200 years.

Future Climate Projections

Models suggest a warming and wetter world over the next century.

Pollutant Types

Primary pollutants directly emitted from a source; secondary pollutants result from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Measuring Air Pollution

Mobile sources (e.g., cars) are harder to quantify compared to fixed sources (e.g., factories).

Residence Time of Pollutants

Defined by how long pollutants remain in the atmosphere, influenced by factors like rainfall, gravity, and chemical reactions.

Key Pollutants from Human Activity

Carbon monoxide is the leading pollutant from human activities.

Particulate Matter

PM 2.5 and PM 10: smaller particles are more harmful to health; their sizes affect inhalation risks.

Ozone Layers

Stratospheric ozone protects from UV radiation; surface ozone, a pollutant, is created by human activities.

Acid Deposition

Result of sulfur released from burning, leading to acidic rainfall; natural rain is slightly acidic at pH 5.6.

Pollution Trends in the U.S.

Air pollution levels have generally decreased over the past 30 years.

Weather Conditions and Pollution

High pressure and stable conditions increase pollution levels; rain and wind help disperse it.

Urban Heat Island Effect

Urban areas tend to be warmer due to human activities and infrastructure.

Cloud and Light Interaction

White clouds reflect sunlight; dark clouds indicate thickness and limited sunlight penetration.

Rainbows and Atmospheric Phenomena

Rainbows form when light refracts through raindrops; sunsets appear red due to scattering of blue light.

Climatological Patterns

High pressure and desert conditions align with Hadley Cell circulation at 30° N latitude.

Climate Zones Examples

Savanna climate features heavy rainfall for part of the year with dry seasons; tundra has limited vegetation due to cold conditions.

Historical Climate Evidence

Glacial movements 20,000 years ago shaped landforms still visible today.

Implications of Sea Level Rise

Significant coastal flooding would occur with a 10 ft rise in sea level, impacting inland areas.

Earth's Ice History

Ice has covered Earth for approximately 18% of its history.

Volcano Eruptions Effects

Major eruptions can lead to a temporary cooling effect on Earth by reducing sunlight.

Climate Observations

Current trends show rapid warming, particularly on land, with expected continued increases.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts from Chapters 12-15 of Meteorology. This quiz covers definitions and scales of climate, helping you differentiate between climate and weather, as well as various climate scales. Enhance your knowledge with these flashcards!