MY WYOMING VOCABULARY OF WEATHER TERMS

These definitions relating to meteorology were obtained by me while a student at the University of Wyoming - Fall 1999.

• Temperature - A measure of the average speed of the atoms where the high temperatures correspond to faster average speeds; slower motions lower temperatures
• Heat = is the energy in the process of being transferred from one object to another because of the temperature difference between them.
• Absolute zero = No thermal motion - absolute or Kelvin scale K=C + 273
• Farenheit scale + 32 degrees water freezes - 212 degrees boils. C =5/9 (F - 32)
• Latent heat + the heat energy required to change a substance such as water from one state to another. Every time a cloud
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  forms it warms the atmosphere. In a thunderstorm a vast amount of stored heat energy (latent heat) is given up to the air as billions of water droplets or ice crystals.

HEAT

• Conduction = the transfer of heat from molecule to molecule within a substance..(silver is a very high conductor.)
• Convection = the transfer of heat by the mass movement of a fluid (such as water and air.)
• Radiation= Electromagnetic  waves - high speed travels from one source to another. Example - the sun on your face. Wood stove - is traveling in the form of waves that release energy when they are absorbed by an object.
• Latent heat - is heat energy required to change a substance from one state to another.

SEASONS - Because the earth is tilted on its axis  as it revolves around the sun seasons are regulated by the amount of solar energy received at the earth's surface. The amount is determined primarily by the angle at which sunlight strikes the surface and how long (DAYLIGHT HOURS.)
DIRECT SOLAR ENERGY (MORE) indirect (LESS.)
Northern hemisphere( 61 % water) versus Southern Hemisphere (81% water) absorbs more solar energy.

ALBEDO = % of light reflected versus received.

WIND CHILL = Humanly perceived - skin loses heat in winds.

HUMIDITY = Refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air.

That's it for now! Heavy-duty stuff!

ROBERT LOUIS POTVIN