Term
| • Differentiate between climate and weather |
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Definition
Climate: Long term (~30 years) average weather condition. Usually based off temperature, precipitation and sometimes wind.
Weather: Sunlight and precipitation over short term, sometimes daily, conditions. |
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Term
| • Describe the components of net radiation and how/why they vary in time and space |
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Definition
| Net Radiation: Balance of incoming (atmosphere) and outgoing (terrestrial) solar radiation, which can vary with latitude, season, time of day, slope and aspect. All longwave radiation is a function of temperature. |
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Term
| • Explain causes and mechanisms of global circulation |
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Definition
| Global Circulation: The result of an energy (net radiation) being unbalanced. It is higher at the equator and lower at the poles (moves from high-low). The Hadley Cells are an example of this |
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Term
| • Describe how/why temperature and precipitation vary over time and space |
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Definition
Temperature and Precipitation how/why vary over time and space: Temperature mimics the pattern of net radiation, but lags behind. It is affected by proximity to the ocean (wet areas to ocean have more constant temperature). Water has a high heat capacity. Aledo affects temperature.
Temperature is: Affected by energy, elevation, continental vs. maritime location, land surface type.
Precipitation is: Affected by rising vs. descending air masses, continental vs. maritime source of air mass. |
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Term
| • Why is rising air sometimes associated with formation of precipitation? |
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Definition
| Rising Air associated with formation of Precipitation: Warm air can hold water vapor resulting in high humidity. Air rises, condensing into clouds is the primary driver of precipitation. |
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Term
| • Why is descending air often associated with deserts? |
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Definition
Descending Air associated with Deserts: As air descends towards the earth it gets warmer and creates deserts.
Oceans = wet, continents = dry |
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