CheckList:
What You Should Know
o The troposphere is the atmospheric layer extending from the surface to an average altitude of about 36,000 feet. Above the troposphere is the stratosphere, mesosphere, and the thermosphere.
o Because of heating inequities, heat is transported, or circulated, from one latitude to anoher by a process known as convection.
o In the three-cell circulation model, the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells generate predictable wind patterns and distribute heat energy.
o Pressure readings on weather maps connect points of equal pressure with lines called isobars. When isobars are spread widely apart, the pressure gradient is considered to be weak, while closely spaced isobars indicate a strong gradient.
o A high is a center of high pressure surrounded on all sides by lower pressure. Conversely, a low is an area of low pressure surrounded by higher pressure.
o A ridge is an elongated area of high pressure, while a trough is an elongated areea of low pressure. A col can designate either a neutral area between two highs and two lows or the intersection of a ridge and a trough.
o Coriolis force causes all free-moving objects to trace a curved path due to the earth's rotation. In the northern hemisphere, the deviation will be to the right of the intended path while the oposite will occur in the southern hemisphere.
o Frictional force causes a wind to shift directions when near the earth's surface.
o A sea breeze blows from the cool water to the warmer land during the day. At night, a land breeze blows from the cooler land to the warmer water.
o A cold downslope wind flows downhill from snow-covered plateaus or steep mountain slopes.
o Warm downslope winds sometimes dramatically raise the temperature at the base of the mountain.
