Earth's Weather and Climate
relative humidity
a percentage of the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at its current temperature
air mass
large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity
humidity
moisture in the air
maritime
type of temperate climate near an ocean or sea
continental
type of temperate climate over land
wind shear
when winds change direction and speed up into the atmosphere
front
where two different air masses meet
wind vane
measures wind direction
anemometer
measures wind speed
jet stream
fast moving stream of wind where cold, polar air meets warm air from the equator
Doppler effect
a change in the frequency of sound or light waves that can be used to determine the direction of movement of a wave source
drought
a long period of unusually dry weather
cyclone
a severe storm
weather
day-to-day changes in atmospheric conditions, including temperature, air pressure, humidity, wind, cloud coverage, or precipitation
polar
dry, cold climate zone above 60 degree latitude
subtropical
hot, often dry, climate zone between 25 and 30 degrees latitude, north or south of the equator
barometer
measures air pressure
hygrometer
measures humidity
Doppler radar
measures the location and strength of precipitation
climate
long-term average of weather in an area
convection
process of heat transfer by the circulation or movement of a liquid or a gas
temperate
seasonably variable climate zone between 40 and 60 degrees latitude, north or south of the equator
transpiration
the process of plants releasing moisture from their leaves
tropical
warm, moist climate zone near the equator