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Basics of Weather. Principles of Earth and Physical Science Mr Taylor Rainier Jr/Sr High School. Wind. Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure.
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Basics of Weather Principles of Earth and Physical Science Mr Taylor Rainier Jr/Sr High School
Wind • Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. • Due to the Coriolis Effect, wind in the Northern Hemisphere is deflected clockwise and in the Southern Hemisphere it is deflected counterclockwise. • In the Northern Hemisphere air flows around a low pressure area in a counter-clockwise direction and around a high pressure area it flows clockwise.
Moisture • Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air. • Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. • Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount of water vapor that can be held at that temperature. • The dew point is the temperature at which the relative humidity is 100% and the water vapor will condense to form dew (or raindrops).
Temperature & Air Pressure • Near the surface of the Earth temperature drops with increasing altitude. • Air that is rising cools; air that is descending warms. • Air pressure is caused by gravity pulling on the atmosphere. • Air pressure is reduced with increasing elevation. • Areas of lower pressure can hold less moisture.
Weather patterns • Weather in the United States typically moves from West to East. • Areas near bodies of water tend to have less fluctuation in weather and are called maritime climates • Areas surrounded by land typically have large seasonal fluctuations in weather and are called continental climates. • Areas near the Earth’s poles have cooler climates and are called Polar climates. • Areas near the Earth’s Equator have warmer climates and are called Tropical climates.