GEOGRAPHY 152
REVIEW – FINAL
Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation:
Air Pressure (definition & measurement of)
Wind (direction & measurement of)
Driving forces within the atmosphere (Q #1 on quiz 2)
- gravity
- pressure gradiant force
- coriolis force
- frictional force
High & Low Pressure Systems (Q #2 on quiz 2)
Global Pressure Patterns and Atmospheric Circulation
- equatorial low-pressure trough
- intertropical convergence zone
- trade winds (Q #3 on quiz 2)
- polar high-pressure cells
- polar front
- subtropical high-pressure cells
- westerlies
- subpolar low-pressure cells
Upper Atmospheric Circulation
- Rossby waves
- Jet Streams
Local Winds
- land-sea breezes
- mountain-valley breezes
- katabatic winds
- monsoons
Ocean Currents
- Surface currents (in general)
- Gulf Stream & gyres
- Deep ocean currents
Moisture in the Atmosphere:
Distribution of water on Earth
Three stages of water and phase changes
Humidity (types and definitions of each/be able to calculate [part 1, exercise 3])
Atmospheric Stability
- Adiabatic Processes
- Lapse rates
- stable, unstable and conditionally unstable situations
Clouds & Fog
- Formation of clouds
- Clouds associated with precipitation
- Advection and radiation fog
Weather
Air Masses
- classification, characteristics, and source location of
- modification of (lake effect snow)
Atmospheric Lifting Mechanisms
- Convergent lifting
- Convectional lifting
- Orographic lifting
- Windward and leeward slopes
- Frontal lifting
- Cold and warm fronts and associated cloud and precipitation types
- Changes in temperature, air pressure, and humidity
Midlatitude Cyclones
- the four stages of
- occluded and stationary fronts
Severe Weather
- Thunderstorm development
- Thunder, lightening and hail
- Mesocyclone development and tornadoes
- Tornado frequency and “Tornado Alley”
- Tropical cyclones
- Formation and source regions of hurricanes and typhoons
Weather Maps (part 2, exercise 3)
Other Information:
Teleconnections
- definition of
- circulation anomalies associated with positive and negative phases of ENSO
- effects of ENSO on North American weather (winter)
Climate Change
- Possible causes of climate change (natural and anthropogenic)
- Recent climate variability (1000 A.D. present)
- The role of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in global warming
- Impacts of global warming on society and the environment
Test Format:
35 Multiple Choice (35pts)
Matching (2 maps  5pts each)
Humidity calculations (15pts)
Weather Map (5pts)
Essays (35pts)
- One 10pt essay
- Three 5pt essays (choose 3 out of 5)
- One 10pt essay (choose 1 out of 2)