Pressure gradient, Coriolis force, geostrophic wind, jet streams, fronts, cyclones, numerical models and radar.
40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is a pressure gradient?
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The change in atmospheric pressure over a horizontal distance.- What direction does the pressure gradient force act?
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From high pressure to low pressure.- Pressure gradient is typically expressed in what units?
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Hectopascals per kilometer (hPa/km) or millibars per degree latitude.- Define the Coriolis force.
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An apparent force that deflects moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, due to Earth's rotation.- At what latitude is the Coriolis force equal to zero?
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At the equator.- The Coriolis force is maximum at what latitude?
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At the poles (90 degrees latitude).- In the Northern Hemisphere, which direction does the Coriolis force deflect a moving object?
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To the right of its direction of motion.- In the Southern Hemisphere, which direction does the Coriolis force deflect a moving object?
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To the left of its direction of motion.- Define geostrophic wind.
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Wind that results from a balance between the pressure gradient force and the Coriolis force.- What is geostrophic balance?
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The condition in which the pressure gradient force and Coriolis force are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.- What is the relationship between geostrophic wind and isobars?
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Geostrophic wind blows parallel to the isobars, with low pressure on the left in the Northern Hemisphere.- Under what conditions can we assume the wind is geostrophic?
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When friction is negligible, the flow is straight (not curved), and the Coriolis parameter is not zero (away from the equator).- Define jet stream.
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A narrow region of very strong winds in the upper troposphere, typically with speeds exceeding 100 knots.- At what altitude do jet streams typically occur?
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In the upper troposphere, around 10 to 12 kilometers (33,000 to 40,000 feet).- Where is the polar jet stream located?
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Between 50 and 60 degrees latitude, marking the boundary between polar and midlatitude air masses.
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