| Cumbria
Weather - G is for ? |
|
|
 |
| From
Anemometer to Zephyr ... |
|
|
The
BBC North weather team, Paul Mooney and Trai Anfield have put together
an alphabetical guide to weather terms.
Here we go with all things beginning with G. |
|
|
|
|
G
is for ...
 |
| Gale
force winds in Florida, USA |
Gale
A wind which meets either or both the following conditions:
a) A mean speed of 34 - 40 knots or 39 - 46 miles per hour, recorded
over a period of at least 10 minutes (this is Beaufort force 8 - see
"B is for…")
b) Gust speeds reaching 43 - 51 knots or 49 - 58 miles per hour.
 |
| Protesters
against US energy policy |
Global
Warming
The effect of increased amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
due to human activity and industrial/chemical pollution resulting
in an enhanced greenhouse effect is known as global warming.
Greenhouse
Gas
Gases present in the atmosphere, which help maintain a higher temperature
level at the earth's surface than the amount of solar radiation would
support are called greenhouse gases.
Atmospheric gases are virtually transparent to incoming, short wave
radiation from the sun, but absorb long wave radiation emitted from
the earth's surface.
This radiation is re-emitted, some of it downwards towards earth,
hence enhancing the temperature. The principle greenhouse gases are
water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
 |
| Global
warming is melting the Antarctic icefields |
Gulf Stream
A warm ocean current, originating in the Gulf of Mexico, travelling
up the eastern coast of the USA, then continues across the Atlantic
Ocean as a broader, weaker current towards the British Isles.
Although the Gulf Stream is one of the world's strongest and most
constant currents, it is subject to variations and even sometimes
reversal.
The Gulf Stream helps provide temperate conditions in the British
Isles by warming the prevailing southwesterly winds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BBC Cumbria
Annetwell Street
Carlisle
Cumbria CA3 8BB
Tel: (+44) 01228 592444
cumbria@bbc.co.uk |
|
