Sem Review Part 2 ~ Meteorology

1. Sem ReviewPart 2 ~ Meteorology

2. Atmosphere • Describe the difference between WEATHER & CLIMATE

3. Fronts, Pressure, & Sky Conditions • Describe the movement of air near HIGH and low pressure centers. • Explain why Michigan has mostly clear skies under HIGH pressure but cloudy skies under low pressure.

4. 2 Main gases of Earth’s Atmo. • Nitrogen: • Oxygen:

5. Atmosphere • Describe the importance of the 3 minor atmospheric components: • Water Vapor • Ozone • Atmospheric Dust

6. CFC’s • Breakdown O-Zone in the Stratosphere.

7. Layers of the Atmosphere

8. Lower Atmosphere • Describe the temperature trend in each of the bottom 2 layers of Earth atmosphere. • Explain what causes that temperature trend.

9. Filtering out EM radiation • Describe how each form of EM radiation is filtered out by a different layer(s) of the atmosphere • Gamma & X-Ray • UV • IR & Vis

10. Heating the troposphere • Using the terms conduction, convection, and radiation, explain how each process contributes to the daily heating of the troposphere. • Explain the daily “delay” in heating.

11. Albedo

12. Factors affecting temperature • Explain which factor affects the temperature difference between each pair of cities • Latitude • Elevation • Maritime Location

13. Movement of Weather • Trade winds: • Begin at equator move from the East to the West • Westerly winds: • Winds affecting the U.S., move from the West to the East

14. Calculating Relative Humidity • Determine water vapor capacity for each temperature below • 5°C (@ 8am) • 9°C(@ 12pm) • 12°C(@ 3pm) • Use your capacity #s to calculate relative humidity % if the specific humidity is constant (12g of H2O)

15. Cloud Formation • Describe each ingredient needed for cloud formation. • Explain the source • Convective Cooling • Forceful Lifting • Air Mass Lifting • Mountain Lifting

16. CLOUDS • Draw and describe the structure of the following cloud types: • Stratus • Cumulus • Cirrus • Cumulonimbus

17. Mountain Terrain

18. Air Masses • Describe (and show on a map) the 4 main air masses that affect the U.S.: • mT • cP • cT • mP

19. Fronts, Pressure, & Sky Conditions • Describe the movement of air near HIGH and low pressure centers. • Explain why Michigan has mostly clear skies under HIGH pressure but cloudy skies under low pressure.

20. Temperatures & Fronts • Compare temperatures in cities A, B, and C. • Explain how approaching fronts will eventually change temperatures for each. • Explain why the front over Lake Superior formed. C B A

21. Reading an isobar map • Find wind direction for the following: • Toronto • Topeka • Denver • Augusta • Rank them strongest (1) to calmest (4) winds

22. Severe Weather • Explain the scientific cause of each: • Hail • Lighting • Thunder • Describe the formation of a tornado • Where and Why

23. Severe Weather • Describe Hurricane formation. • Include diagram • Where winds are highest • Winds lowest • Air pressures associated with hurricanes • What fuels them • What happens when they go on land • Most costly part of hurricanes

24. Biogeochemical Cycles • Why is Earth considered a “closed system” • Illustrate: • Carbon Cycle • Nitrogen Cycle

25. Climate Change • Greenhouse Effect • Causes of Climate Change • CO2 Levels in atmo. • Direct/Indirect evidence

26. Ocean Salinity • Melting of land ice • Would affect salt content and would change ocean patterns.

27. Ocean Currents • Effect on: • Maritime Climates • Northern Latitudes • What causes currents?

28. Greenhouse Gases • The major natural greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36-70% • carbon dioxide, which causes 9-26%;  • methane, which causes 4-9%, and  • ozone, which causes 3-7%. 

29. Climate Change • Natural: • Man-Made:

30. Atmosphere CO2 Levels

31. Global Warming • Warmer Oceans: • Sea-level rise • Severity of Storms (hurricanes)

32. Climate Change Evidence • Tree Rings • Pollen Spores • Ice Cores/CO2