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Sem Review Part 2 ~ Meteorology. Atmosphere. Describe the difference between WEATHER & CLIMATE. Fronts, Pressure, & Sky Conditions. Describe the movement of air near HIGH and low pressure centers.
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Atmosphere • Describe the difference between WEATHER & CLIMATE
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.
2 Main gases of Earth’s Atmo. • Nitrogen: • Oxygen:
Atmosphere • Describe the importance of the 3 minor atmospheric components: • Water Vapor • Ozone • Atmospheric Dust
CFC’s • Breakdown O-Zone in the Stratosphere.
Lower Atmosphere • Describe the temperature trend in each of the bottom 2 layers of Earth atmosphere. • Explain what causes that temperature trend.
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
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.
Factors affecting temperature • Explain which factor affects the temperature difference between each pair of cities • Latitude • Elevation • Maritime Location
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
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)
Cloud Formation • Describe each ingredient needed for cloud formation. • Explain the source • Convective Cooling • Forceful Lifting • Air Mass Lifting • Mountain Lifting
CLOUDS • Draw and describe the structure of the following cloud types: • Stratus • Cumulus • Cirrus • Cumulonimbus
Air Masses • Describe (and show on a map) the 4 main air masses that affect the U.S.: • mT • cP • cT • mP
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.
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
Reading an isobar map • Find wind direction for the following: • Toronto • Topeka • Denver • Augusta • Rank them strongest (1) to calmest (4) winds
Severe Weather • Explain the scientific cause of each: • Hail • Lighting • Thunder • Describe the formation of a tornado • Where and Why
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
Biogeochemical Cycles • Why is Earth considered a “closed system” • Illustrate: • Carbon Cycle • Nitrogen Cycle
Climate Change • Greenhouse Effect • Causes of Climate Change • CO2 Levels in atmo. • Direct/Indirect evidence
Ocean Salinity • Melting of land ice • Would affect salt content and would change ocean patterns.
Ocean Currents • Effect on: • Maritime Climates • Northern Latitudes • What causes currents?
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%.
Climate Change • Natural: • Man-Made:
Global Warming • Warmer Oceans: • Sea-level rise • Severity of Storms (hurricanes)
Climate Change Evidence • Tree Rings • Pollen Spores • Ice Cores/CO2