Test Review Weather

Definition of Weather All the various phenomena that occur in the atmosphere of a planet The specific condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time Most weather occurs in the lowest portion of the atmosphere, called the troposphere

Weather Includes Wind Temperature Humidity Atmospheric pressure Cloudiness Precipitation

Weather is Caused By The interactions of: –Air (atmosphere) –Water (mostly oceans) –Sun

Weather is Caused By Uneven heating by the Sun’s radiant energy –Because the Earth is round, not all parts of it get the same amount of radiant energy –The rotation of the earth on its axis and its revolution in its orbit around the sun determine the amount of sunlight reaching the earth (seasons)

Weather is Caused By Uneven heating by the Sun’s radiant energy –T differences cause movement of Air Water

Air Masses A large body of air that is similar in temperature and humidity throughout Form in the troposphere and help determine the weather

Air Masses Have different characteristics because the areas over which they form receive different amounts of energy from the sun Can travel thousands of kilometers. –Bringing their temperature and humidity to other areas

Air Masses MOUNTAINS can push air masses up, making them colder

Fronts Boundaries separating air masses. Includes warm fronts, cold fronts, stationary fronts

Temperature Differences Caused By Type of material Cloud cover Latitude (distance from the Equator)

Temperature Differences Caused By Distance from a body of water Land stores thermal energy Water warms & cools more slowly than land

What Oceans Do Ocean water absorbs heat during the day and releases heat at night. Heat from the Equator is transferred by ocean currents Stabilize average T