Earth Science, Chapter 17, Section 1 What is Climate?

tropical zone

The area near the equator, between about 23.5 degrees north latitude and 23.5 degrees south latitude.

the tilt of the Earth's axis

What causes the seasons on Earth?

biome

a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant and animal communities.

leeward (dry) side of the mountain

caused by sinking air that warms and absorbs moisture; usually produces a dessert

temperate zone

climate zones with moderate temperatures that are located between the tropics and the polar zones

polar zone

cold climate zone where the sun's rays strike Earth at a very low angle

absorbs moisture

cool air that sinks and warms

solar energy

energy from the sun

surface current

streamlike movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean

windward side of the mountain

the air cools as is rises releasing precipitation (the green side)

climate

the average weather condition in an area over a long period of time

latitude

the distance north or south from the equator; expressed in degrees

elevation

the height of surface landforms above sea level

weather

the short-term state of the atmosphere, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and visibility

releases moisture

warm air that rises and cools

prevailing winds

winds that blow mainly from one direction