Which term describes the lateral transfer of heat in the atmosphere?

The term that describes the lateral transfer of heat in the atmosphere is advection. Advection refers specifically to the horizontal movement of air masses, which can carry heat from one region to another. This process is crucial in meteorology because it helps redistribute thermal energy across different areas, influencing weather patterns and climate conditions.

In contrast, conduction refers to the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials, typically in solids, rather than through the movement of air masses. Convection involves the vertical movement of air or fluids due to temperature differences, where warmer air rises and cooler air sinks, thus facilitating heat transfer primarily in vertical layers. Radiation, on the other hand, is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight warming the Earth, and does not require a medium to travel through.