Climate
A climatic change marked by shifting of a large warm water pool from the western Pacific Ocean toward the east.
El Niño
Area with lower atmospheric pressure than its surrounding areas; this makes air from surrounding areas to flow into the low (rotates counterclockwise), the end result of which is probably cloudiness and precipitation.
Low Pressure System
rain that contains more acid than normal due to pollution; causes damage to plants, streams and rivers, buildings
acid rain
Trace Gases
argon, neon, helium, ozone, water vapor, methane
long-term average of weather in an area; average precipitation and temperature
climate
type of temperate climate over land
continental climate
a gradual increase in the average temperature of Earth's atmosphere
global warming
the process by which heat is trapped in the atmosphere by gases that form a "blanket" around Earth
greenhouse effect
gases in the atmosphere that trap energy
greenhouse gases
fast moving stream of wind where cold, polar air meets warm air from the equator
jet stream
type of temperate climate near an ocean or sea
maritime climate
dry, cold climate zone above 60 degree latitude
polar
when wind flow over mountains produces moist conditions on the windward side of the mountains and dry conditions on the leeward side
rain shadow effect
hot, often dry, climate zone between 25 and 30 degrees latitude, north or south of the equator
subtropical
seasonably variable climate zone between 40 and 60 degrees latitude, north or south of the equator
temperate
An increase in temperature with height in an atmospheric layer.
temperature inversion
The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves.
Deforestation
Causes moving air and water to turn left in the southern hemisphere and turn right in the northern hemisphere due to Earth's hemisphere.
Coriolis effect
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere
Atmospheric Concentrations
78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, Trace Gases ≈ 1%
A huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity, and air pressure at any given height
Air Mass
Formed when an air mass cools over an ocean or a cold region on land. This dense system moves outward toward low pressure systems, creating a wind that rotates clockwise. Causes, clear blue skies, is dry etc.
High Pressure System
Measuring instrument for measuring the relative humidity of the atmosphere
Hygrometer
A climate event in the eastern Pacific Ocean in which surface waters are colder than normal.
La Niña
A gust of wind that forms when a downdraft spreads out. Characterized by severe cold winds.
Squall
Climate Factors
Sun's energy, latitude/location, wind belts, ocean currents, elevation, average temperature, precipitation.
warm, moist climate zone near the equator
tropical
day-to-day changes in atmospheric conditions, including temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, cloud coverage, or precipitation
weather