Earth Space Science Exam
Weather and Atmospheric Water
Humidity- the amount of water in the air in a particular spot.
Relative Humidity- the percentage of water vapor a certain volume of air is holding relative to the max amt it can contain. 80% humidity means that it is holding 80% of the total amt of water that it can hold at that temp.
Heat Index- shows what the temperature feels like due to humidity.
Dew Point- the point at which air becomes saturated with water. Water will condense from the air as dew, if the water cools down overnight ans reaches 100% humidity.
Clouds- clouds form when the air reaches its dew point. Either by T constant and Humidity increases or humidity constant and T decreases. Water vapor condenses around a nucleus such as dust, smoke, or a salt crystal.
High Clouds: Cirrus-thin wisps of ice crystals at high altitudes may indicate an oncoming storm. Cirrocumulus- small white puffs that ripple across the sky often in rows made up of ice crystals.
Middle Clouds: made up of water droplets or ice crystals or both Altostratus- thick broad clouds that are gray or blue. Often cover the entire sky and usually mean a large storm with lots of precip Altocumulus- appear white to gray, puffy stripes rolling across the sky, often occure before thunderstorms.
Low Clouds: Usually hold droplets of liquid water, although may contain ice when temps are very cold. Stratus- gray sheets that cover the sky, may produce steady drizzle or mist but not hard rain. Nimbostratus- thick and dark bring steady rain or snow Stratocumulus- rows of large low puffs that may be white or gray, rarely bring precipitation. Cumulus- resemble white cotton and have towering tops. May produce precip on hot summer days Cumulonimbus- tall dark associated with lightening and thunder
Fog- located near the ground when humid air cools below its dew point. Radiation Fog- forms at night when skies are clear and humidity is high Advection fog- warm moist air over
Humidity- the amount of water in the air in a particular spot.
Relative Humidity- the percentage of water vapor a certain volume of air is holding relative to the max amt it can contain. 80% humidity means that it is holding 80% of the total amt of water that it can hold at that temp.
Heat Index- shows what the temperature feels like due to humidity.
Dew Point- the point at which air becomes saturated with water. Water will condense from the air as dew, if the water cools down overnight ans reaches 100% humidity.
Clouds- clouds form when the air reaches its dew point. Either by T constant and Humidity increases or humidity constant and T decreases. Water vapor condenses around a nucleus such as dust, smoke, or a salt crystal.
High Clouds: Cirrus-thin wisps of ice crystals at high altitudes may indicate an oncoming storm. Cirrocumulus- small white puffs that ripple across the sky often in rows made up of ice crystals.
Middle Clouds: made up of water droplets or ice crystals or both Altostratus- thick broad clouds that are gray or blue. Often cover the entire sky and usually mean a large storm with lots of precip Altocumulus- appear white to gray, puffy stripes rolling across the sky, often occure before thunderstorms.
Low Clouds: Usually hold droplets of liquid water, although may contain ice when temps are very cold. Stratus- gray sheets that cover the sky, may produce steady drizzle or mist but not hard rain. Nimbostratus- thick and dark bring steady rain or snow Stratocumulus- rows of large low puffs that may be white or gray, rarely bring precipitation. Cumulus- resemble white cotton and have towering tops. May produce precip on hot summer days Cumulonimbus- tall dark associated with lightening and thunder
Fog- located near the ground when humid air cools below its dew point. Radiation Fog- forms at night when skies are clear and humidity is high Advection fog- warm moist air over