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Weather and Climate
Final
15
Other
Undergraduate 2
12/07/2011

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Term
Feedback
Definition
 an indirecan indirectt, or  an indirect, or secondary, change – either positive or negative – that occurs within the climate system in response to a forcing mechanism.
Term
Positive Feedback
Definition
self feeding/sustaining feedback that further enhances the  impact of climate forcing
Term
Negative Feedback
Definition
a feedback that pushes the climate back to the intial state
Term
The Sillicate Cycle
Definition
increased co2 levels lead to more carbonic acid accelerating the silcate weathering rate which lowers atmospheric co2
Term
Ocean Warming
Definition
Warm water can hold more co2 than cold water so warm water releases more co2
Term
Ice/Albedo Feedback
Definition
increased temperature leads to decreased ice covers which drops albedo and leads to temperature increases
Term
increased temperature leads to...
Definition
increased evaporation and higher atmospheric vapor content
Term
more green house gases means
Definition
warmer temperature
Term
Thick Cloud
Definition
[image]
Term
Thin cloud
Definition
[image]
Term
Global radiative equilibrium
Definition
solar radiational heating of the Earth-atmosphere system is balanced by emission of
Term
greenhouse effect
Definition
heating of earths surface and lower atmosphere by strong absorption and emission of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases
Term
tropical cyclone activity depends on
Definition
Sea Surface Temperatures
Upper atmospheric dynamics (wind shear)
Climate cycles (NAO, ENSO, PDO, AMO, etc.)
African low pressure systems
Term
Water Resources
Definition
While precipitation events may become stronger on average and winter precipitation is expected to increase, increased evaporation and fewer precipitation events may lead to water stress
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