Meteorology Vocab Flashcards Set 1

Front

Density

Back

How tightly packed the particles in a substance are; calculated as mass divided by volume.

Front

Air Mass

Back

A large body of air that has uniform temperature and humidity characteristics, formed when air remains stationary over a specific geographic region.

Front

Air Pressure

Back

The force exerted by air molecules colliding with surfaces; the weight of air pushing down on Earth's surface.

Front

Front

Back

A boundary where two different air masses meet but don't mix easily.

Front

Cold Front

Back

Boundary formed when a cold air mass pushes underneath a warm air mass, forcing the warm air upward; marked on weather maps with a line with triangles.

Front

Warm Front

Back

Boundary formed when a warm air mass rises over a cold air mass; marked on weather maps with a line with semicircles.

Front

Occluded Front

Back

Boundary formed when a fast-moving cold front overtakes a slower-moving warm front; marked with alternating triangles and semicircles.

Front

Condensation

Back

The process where water vapor (gas) changes into liquid water droplets when air cools down.

Front

Cirrus

Back

High, thin, wispy clouds made of ice crystals that often signal changing weather.

Front

Cumulus

Back

White, puffy clouds with flat bottoms and rounded tops.