Term
| What are the 4 climatic controls that affect weather and climate throughout the world? |
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Definition
1.) location size & shape
2.) topography
3.) planetary wind & pressure systems
4.) ocean currents |
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Term
| Which of latitude & logitude is most important in regard to climate? |
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Definition
| Latitude: determines the angle at which the sun's rays reach the Earth & the length of the day |
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Term
| Why is size important in controlling climate? |
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Definition
| The larger the area, the further land is away from the ocean and the more continental the climate |
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Term
| What are the 2 types of climates? |
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Definition
Continental climates - climate not tempered by water temperatures
Marine climate - climates are tempered by water and are more moderate. |
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Term
| How does FL's shape effect the climate? |
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Definition
| FL's long penninsular shape makes it possible for all places in the state to lie within 70 miles of the warm ocean or gulf giving it a relatively cool summer and a moderate winter |
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Term
| How much does temperature decrease in relation to elevation? |
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Definition
| 3.5 degrees for every 1000 foot rise in elevation (lapse rate) |
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Term
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Definition
| As warm moist air is blown upward over the winward side of a mountain, it may contain sufficient moisture to become saturated when cooledto its dew point. This can result in rain on the windward side of the mountain |
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Term
| What high pressure cell has the biggest influence on Florida's weather? |
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Definition
| The Bermuda high, which hangs off the coast of NE FL is responsible for heat waves in late spring & summer |
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Term
| What is the mean temperature range in FL? |
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Definition
Summer: 81-82 degrees
coolest months: 13 degrees |
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Term
| What are the 2 mechanisms that produce freezing conditions in FL? |
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Definition
Radiation frosts - large radiant heat losses cools the graound, plants and surface air to freezing.
Advection freezes: occurs when large cool air masses from the mid continent move across the FL Penninsula |
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Term
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Definition
| On cold clear winter nights the earth radiates its heat upward into the troposphere as soon as the sun sets. This results in the temperature near the ground being colder than the temperature of the air above the ground. |
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Term
| Florida recieves most of its precipitation during which months? |
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Definition
June through September
60% of annual precipitation |
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Term
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Definition
| heating of the earth that radiates the heat to the adjacent air. Warm air rises expands & cools. If air rises high enough to cool and reach dew point condensation occurs which results in clouds and precipitation |
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Term
| What are the factors that create thunderstorms in Tampa Bay (Thunderstorm Capital of NA)? |
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Definition
1.) Sea breezes
2.) Urban heat islands
3.) angle of the sun in the summer
4.) high humidity
5.) orientation of Tampa Bay |
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Term
| What are the prevailing winds in the southern part of the FL penninsula? |
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Definition
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Term
| Generally, what are the prevailing winds for state not including the southern penninsula? |
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Definition
| nrotherly pattern in the winter, and southernly pattern in the summer |
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Term
| When do the highest average wind velocities occur? |
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Definition
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Term
| How many tornadoes and waterspouts occur in FL in any given year? |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| A small, intense cyclone in which the air is spiralling at a tremendous velocity |
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Term
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Definition
| they are similar in structure to a tornado but form at sea. They are smaller and less powerful than tornadoes |
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Term
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Definition
| A general low level inversion zone in the Intertropical Convergence Zone |
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Term
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Definition
| non-frontal, low pressure, large scale weather system that develop over tropical or sub tropical waters and have a definite organized circulation |
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Term
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Definition
| Term used if the sustained winds near the center of the system are at least 33 knots (38 mph) |
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Term
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Definition
| Term used if the sustained winds near the center of the system are between 34 and 63 knots (39-73 mph) |
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Term
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Definition
| Term used if the sustained winds near the center of the system exceed 64 knots (74 mph) |
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Term
| Which directuion do hurricane winds travel in the Northern Hemisphere? |
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Definition
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Term
| When are hurricanes most likely to develop? |
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Definition
| late summer or early fall |
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Term
| What are the 4 destructive aspects of hurricanes? |
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Definition
1.) High winds
2.) Heavy rainfall
3.) high tides
4.) tornadoes |
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Term
| What aspect of hurricanes causes the most damage and loss of life? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is Evapotranspiration? |
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Definition
| the the combined processes of evaporation of water from water and land surfaces & transpiration, the process whereby plants five off water to the atmosphere |
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Term
| What is potential evaportranspiration |
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Definition
| the amount of water that would be evaporated & transpired if there were never too little water available to plants for maximum transpiration |
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Term
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Definition
| conditions when temperatures are below freezing |
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Term
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Definition
| occurs when temperatures fall below 32 over a widespread area for a certain period of time |
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Term
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Definition
| occurs over a short time & adversely affects only the most tender plants |
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Term
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Definition
| forms substantial ice on water puddles & kills seasonal vegetation. Temperatures are 20-25, citrus may require 3 years to fully recover to prefreeze production levels |
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Term
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Definition
| occurs when temperatures drop below 20 - citrus will take 3-7 years to recover |
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Term
| What are the 2 jet streams that influence FL weather? |
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Definition
Polar jet
Sub-tropical jet |
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Term
| What are the 2 causes of freezing temperatures in FL? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the three Cloud types? |
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Definition
cirriform: streaked, fibrous or curly
stratiform: layered, stratified or sheet-like
cumuliform: heaped, globular, piled or puffed |
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Term
| What are the 5 types of fog? |
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Definition
advection: moist air blows over cold surface
radiation:
up-slope
steam
frontal |
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Term
| What month is the foggiest in the state? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the statewide annual average amount of rainfall |
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Definition
54 inches
lowest: key west 40"
highest: panhandle 60-66" |
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Term
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Definition
| The main cause of drought in FL. Air persitently sinks from the upper levels of the atmosphere toward the surface |
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Term
| Why is subsidence conductive to dry conditions? |
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Definition
- air warms as it is compressed producing very stable conditions
- relative humidity is lowered
- generally fewer clouds develop
- processes that produce rain with clouds are retarded |
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Term
| What natural phenomenon causes more direct deaths than any other weather event combined? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are your chances of being struck by lightning inFL? |
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Definition
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Term
| Whay do FL tornadoes produce less damage than those od other states? |
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Definition
| Because they are short-lived and relatively less intense. |
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Term
| Where have the most damaging waterspouts occured? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the most destructive aspect of a hurricane? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the wind speed & surge height of a Category 1 hurricane? |
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Definition
| 74-95 mph wind, 4-5' surge |
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Term
| What are the wind speed & surge height of a Category 2 hurricane? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the wind speed & surge height of a Category 3 hurricane? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the wind speed & surge height of a Category 4 hurricane? |
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Definition
| 131-155 mph, 13-18' surge |
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Term
| What are the wind speed & surge height of a Category 5 hurricane? |
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Definition
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Term
| How much rain do hurricanes bring to the affected area? |
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Definition
| 5-12", 200 billion tons of rainwater |
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