Vocabulary Review Weather

Air pollution formed by the reaction of water in the air with chemicals, particularly sulfur dioxide, given off as waster, mostly by factories and automobiles. Acid Rain

A body of air hundreds or thousands of miles across with the same temperature and moisture. Air Mass

An instrument for measuring wind speed. Anemometer

The air surrounding the Earth. Atmosphere

The relationship between the direction of the wind and the location of high and low pressure areas making it. Ballot’s Law

An instrument for measuring air pressure. Barometer

A measure of wind strength. Beaufort Scale

A change of a substance from a gas to a liquid. Condensation

The apparent force that as a result of the Earth’s rotation deflects air currents to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. Coriolis Effect

The temperature at which air is saturated with water and water vapor condenses. Dew Point

The range of wavelengths of radiation from the Sun, extending from gamma rays to radio waves Electromagnetic Spectrum

Area of relative calm at the center of a hurricane. Eye of a hurricane

Boundary between cold and warm air masses, usually represented on weather map with an “L”, because if forms a low pressure center. Front

The warming of the lower layers of the atmosphere caused by heat being trapped by increased carbon dioxide in the air. Greenhouse Effect

Higher than normal air pressure, such as the surface pressure at the center of an air mass. Represented on a weather map with an “H” High

A cyclonic storm, usually tropical in orgin. Called cyclone in the Indian Ocean, typhoon in the Pacific and willy-willy in Australia. Hurricane

An instrument for measuring moisture in the air. Hygrometer

High speed winds above the stratosphere usually blowing in a westerly direction. Jet Stream

Lower than normal air pressure, such as the boundary between air masses. Represented by “L”, it usually means bad weather. Low

A scientist who studies weather and climate. Meteorologist

Definition TERM

A unit of atmospheric pressure used by meteorologists (1 inch = millibars) Millibar

A special form of oxygen that forms naturally in the upper air and filters out the Sun’s harmful u-v rays. Smog

Water that falls from the clouds to earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Precipitation

Winds that usually blow from the same direction. Prevailing Winds

The amount of moisture in the air compared to the moisture that the air can hold at that particular temperature. Relative Humidity

A weather report using picture symbols to indicate various weather factors. Station model

The lower part of the atmosphere in which most weather takes place. Troposphere

A chart that measures the discomfort we feel based on a combination of temperature and moisture in the air. Temperature- humidity index

A violent, whirling wind along with a funnel-shaped cloud. “Twister” Tornado

A column of air moving rapidly upward inside a storm Updraft

The process by which oceans and smaller bodies of water evaporate into the air and then condense and return in the form of rain or snow. Water Cycle

A measure of the discomfort we feel based on a combination of temperature and wind speed. Wind Chill Factor