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