What does "advection" refer to in terms of atmospheric processes?

Advection refers specifically to the horizontal transfer of heat, moisture, or other atmospheric properties within the atmosphere. This process occurs when warm or cold air masses are transported from one location to another, often resulting in changes in weather conditions. For instance, when warm moist air moves over a cooler surface, it can lead to cloud formation and precipitation.

Understanding advection is crucial in meteorology because it directly influences temperature gradients and can modify local climates. Unlike convection, which involves vertical movements and is associated with heat transfer through rising and sinking air parcels, advection deals primarily with the movement of air masses along the horizontal plane. Thus, recognizing the role of advection helps meteorologists predict weather patterns and changes based on the movement of different air masses across regions.