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Questions and Answers
_____ is gaseous water in the atmosphere.
_____ is gaseous water in the atmosphere.
Water vapor
Water enters the atmosphere through which two processes? (Select all that apply)
Water enters the atmosphere through which two processes? (Select all that apply)
The drier the air, the slower the rate of evaporation.
The drier the air, the slower the rate of evaporation.
False
The greater the wind speed, the slower the evaporation rate.
The greater the wind speed, the slower the evaporation rate.
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What does relative humidity tell us about the air?
What does relative humidity tell us about the air?
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Warmer air can hold more water vapor than cooler air.
Warmer air can hold more water vapor than cooler air.
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When the relative humidity is 100%, we say the air is _____.
When the relative humidity is 100%, we say the air is _____.
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The dew point is the air temperature when the air is full to capacity with water vapor, or _____% relative humidity.
The dew point is the air temperature when the air is full to capacity with water vapor, or _____% relative humidity.
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The chance of precipitation decreases as the air temperature gets closer to the dew point temperature.
The chance of precipitation decreases as the air temperature gets closer to the dew point temperature.
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When a parcel of air increases in temperature, but the amount of water vapor remains the same, the relative humidity ______.
When a parcel of air increases in temperature, but the amount of water vapor remains the same, the relative humidity ______.
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Which of these station models indicates the greatest relative humidity?
Which of these station models indicates the greatest relative humidity?
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The wet bulb temperature is always greater than or equal to the dry bulb temperature.
The wet bulb temperature is always greater than or equal to the dry bulb temperature.
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What are two ways that the sling psychrometer is used?
What are two ways that the sling psychrometer is used?
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Cloud formation is a result of four processes that can be remembered using the acronym R.E.C.C. What are the four processes in order? 1. Air heats at the surface, _____, and expands. 2. Air _____, contracts, and reaches its dew point temperature. 3. Water begins to ______. 4. Water droplets form on condensation nuclei.
Cloud formation is a result of four processes that can be remembered using the acronym R.E.C.C. What are the four processes in order? 1. Air heats at the surface, _____, and expands. 2. Air _____, contracts, and reaches its dew point temperature. 3. Water begins to ______. 4. Water droplets form on condensation nuclei.
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Precipitation - the falling of liquid or solid water from clouds towards Earth's surface (after _____.
Precipitation - the falling of liquid or solid water from clouds towards Earth's surface (after _____.
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What is the primary force that causes precipitation to fall to Earth?
What is the primary force that causes precipitation to fall to Earth?
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The primary forms of precipitation are snow, sleet, freezing rain, and hail.
The primary forms of precipitation are snow, sleet, freezing rain, and hail.
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What is used to measure liquid precipitation?
What is used to measure liquid precipitation?
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An air mass is a large body of air in the troposphere with similar characteristics throughout, such as pressure, moisture, and _____.
An air mass is a large body of air in the troposphere with similar characteristics throughout, such as pressure, moisture, and _____.
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Why does the region an air mass forms over determine its characteristics?
Why does the region an air mass forms over determine its characteristics?
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All air masses are created equal.
All air masses are created equal.
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Which of these air masses is most likely to form over the Pacific Ocean?
Which of these air masses is most likely to form over the Pacific Ocean?
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The boundary between two different air masses is called a _____.
The boundary between two different air masses is called a _____.
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Which type of front is associated with the fastest changes in weather?
Which type of front is associated with the fastest changes in weather?
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Warm fronts generally lead to colder weather.
Warm fronts generally lead to colder weather.
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How do occluded fronts form?
How do occluded fronts form?
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A stationary front occurs when two air masses _____ against each other, leading to a relatively stable weather pattern.
A stationary front occurs when two air masses _____ against each other, leading to a relatively stable weather pattern.
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Why are thunderstorms common right at the cold front?
Why are thunderstorms common right at the cold front?
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All storms are considered severe weather events.
All storms are considered severe weather events.
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Mid-latitude cyclone storms are _____ pressure systems that often bring significant precipitation and weather changes.
Mid-latitude cyclone storms are _____ pressure systems that often bring significant precipitation and weather changes.
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Winds in mid-latitude cyclones spin in a clockwise direction.
Winds in mid-latitude cyclones spin in a clockwise direction.
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Hurricanes are strong storms of _____ origin, with sustained winds exceeding 74 mph.
Hurricanes are strong storms of _____ origin, with sustained winds exceeding 74 mph.
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Which of these conditions is NOT necessary for hurricane formation?
Which of these conditions is NOT necessary for hurricane formation?
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Hurricanes usually occur in the spring and early summer.
Hurricanes usually occur in the spring and early summer.
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Hurricanes will _____ their strength when they travel over land or cool water.
Hurricanes will _____ their strength when they travel over land or cool water.
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What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale used for?
What is the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale used for?
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What are two ways that people can prepare for a hurricane?
What are two ways that people can prepare for a hurricane?
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Thunderstorms are characterized by heavy rain storms accompanied by _____ and lightning.
Thunderstorms are characterized by heavy rain storms accompanied by _____ and lightning.
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Thunderstorms can only form in association with fronts.
Thunderstorms can only form in association with fronts.
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Some common hazards associated with thunderstorms include flooding, hail, high winds, and _____.
Some common hazards associated with thunderstorms include flooding, hail, high winds, and _____.
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A tornado is a _____ funnel that hangs down towards Earth's surface.
A tornado is a _____ funnel that hangs down towards Earth's surface.
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All tornadoes are very dangerous and destructive.
All tornadoes are very dangerous and destructive.
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What is the name of the region in the United States that is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes?
What is the name of the region in the United States that is particularly vulnerable to tornadoes?
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Tornadoes are more common in the winter months.
Tornadoes are more common in the winter months.
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What is the safest place to go during a tornado?
What is the safest place to go during a tornado?
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Blizzards are intense storms primarily composed of what?
Blizzards are intense storms primarily composed of what?
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What are two important steps people can take to prepare for a blizzard?
What are two important steps people can take to prepare for a blizzard?
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Study Notes
Unit 6 - Weather, Part 2
- This unit covers relative humidity, clouds, air masses, fronts, and severe weather.
Atmospheric Moisture
- Water vapor is gaseous water in the atmosphere.
- Water enters the atmosphere through evaporation (liquid to gas) and transpiration (plants releasing water vapor).
Net Evaporation Rate Factors
- Insolation: Higher insolation leads to more energy for evaporation.
- Surface area: Larger surface area exposed increases evaporation.
- Humidity: Drier air results in faster evaporation rates.
- Wind speed: Increased wind speed increases evaporation rate.
What is Humidity?
- Relative humidity represents how "full" the air is with water.
- Expressed as a percentage.
Temperature vs. Relative Humidity
- Warmer air can hold more water vapor than cooler air.
- If the air temperature changes, but the amount of water vapor remains constant, the relative humidity changes. A rise in temperature decreases relative humidity.
The Dew Point
- Dew point is the air temperature at which the air is entirely saturated (100% relative humidity).
- When this happens, water vapor in the air begins to condense (gas to liquid). This often starts formation of cloud water droplets or dew.
Dewpoint and Precipitation
- Relative humidity increases as air temperature approaches the dew point.
- The chance of precipitation increases as air temperature approaches the dew point.
Measuring Moisture
- Sling psychrometer is used to measure relative humidity and dew point.
- Wet-bulb and dry-bulb thermometer readings are used.
- Wet-bulb temperature is always less than or equal to the dry-bulb temperature.
To Determine Relative Humidity and Dew Point
- Use provided charts on a reference table (page 12 of ESRT). Follow steps to find values.
Cloud Formation (R.E.C.C.)
- Rises and Expands: Rising air heats, expands, and cools.
- Cools: Rising air reaches dew point temperature, contracts and cools further
- Condensates: Water vapor changes from gas to liquid.
- Nuclei: Water droplets form on condensation nuclei (dust/aerosols).
Precipitation
- Precipitation is the liquid or solid water that falls from clouds to the Earth's surface.
- Different types of precipitation include rain, drizzle, snow, sleet, freezing rain, and hail
Measuring Precipitation
- Rain gauges measure liquid precipitation.
- Precipitation is measured in depth, in inches or centimeters.
Air Masses
- Large bodies of air with similar characteristics throughout (pressure, moisture, temperature).
- Characteristics of air masses determined by the source region (land or water; high or low latitude).
Characteristics of Air Masses
-
Moisture Level:
- Continental regions - dry
- Maritime regions – humid/wet
-
Temperature:
- Polar / arctic regions - cold
- Tropical/low latitudes - warm
Air Mass Symbols
- Use reference table (page 13 of ESRT).
4 Major Air Masses Affecting the U.S.
- Continental Polar
- Maritime Polar
- Maritime Tropical
- Continental Tropical
Jet Streams & Planetary Winds
- These forces help move air masses around the globe impacting storm tracks.
Weather Fronts
- Boundary between two air masses with differing densities (warm air rises, cold sinks).
- Types of fronts include: Cold, Warm, Occluded, Stationary.
Cold Front
- Cold air mass moves into a region of warmer air.
- Rapidly pushes up warm air, causing it to cool, condense, and often leads to thunderstorms.
Warm Front
- Warm air mass moves into a region of cooler air.
- Warmer air rises over cooler air which cools, condenses and leads to rain/snow.
Occluded Front
- A cold front overtakes a warm front.
- Warmer air is trapped between two cooler air masses.
Stationary Front
- Neither air mass is moving.
- Air masses push against each other, but neither advances.
Severe/Extreme Weather
- Storm is a violent or severe disturbance of the atmosphere that creates dangerous, destructive, or unpleasant conditions.
- Examples include: hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, and blizzards
Mid-Latitude Cyclone Storms
- Severe weather events that occur with low pressure.
- Winds move counterclockwise inward toward low pressure.
Hurricanes
- Strong tropical storms with sustained winds exceeding 74 mph.
- Form over warm tropical ocean waters.
Ingredients for Hurricanes
- Humid air
- Warm ocean water (above 80°F)
- A weak jet stream
- Extremely low pressure
Hurricane Formation
- Low-pressure centers form over warm tropical waters, providing energy.
- Hurricanes develop in late summer or early fall due to temperature lag.
Hurricane Paths
- Often form off the coast of western Africa.
- Pushed west by planetary wind; then northeast by the southwesterlies.
Hurricane Weakening
- Loss of strength over land or cool water.
Saffir-Simpson Scale
- Classifies hurricanes based on wind speeds.
- Categories range from 1 to 5, with Category 5 having the highest wind speeds and potential for catastrophic damage.
Hurricane Preparedness
- Develop an escape route and appropriate preparedness measures.
Thunderstorms
- Heavy rain storms consisting of thunder and lightning.
- Form due to rising warm air and fronts, often part of hurricanes.
- Hazards include flooding, hail, etc.
Tornadoes
- Low pressure funnels that descend from the base of thunderstorms.
- Last only a few minutes.
- The most violent storms.
Tornado Alley
- Area in the U.S. experiencing most tornadoes.
- Where mT air from South meets cP air from North.
Blizzards
- Intense winter storms with snow, high winds, and low visibility.
- Hazards include dangerous travel conditions.
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Description
This quiz focuses on Unit 6 of weather studies, particularly on relative humidity, cloud formations, and the factors affecting evaporation rates. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping how different atmospheric conditions influence weather patterns. Test your knowledge about humidity, air masses, and severe weather phenomena.
