Chapter 3 - Climate and Vegetation Flashcards
Either of two times of year when the Sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at the furthest points north or south, and that mark the beginning of summer and winter; in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is the longest day and the winter solstice the shortest.
Solstice
Each of the two days in a year in which day and night are equal in length; marks the beginning of spring and autumn.
Equinox
The condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time.
Weather
The typical weather conditions at a particular location as observed over time.
Climate
Falling water droplets in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
Precipitation
The land on the leeward side of hills or mountains that gets little rain from the descending dry air.
Rain Shadow
A storm that forms over warm, tropical ocean waters.
Hurricane
A tropical storm, like a hurricane, that occurs in the Western Pacific.
Typhoon
A powerful funnel-shaped column of spiraling air.
Tornado
A heavy snowstorm with winds of more than 35 miles per hour and reduced visibility of less than one-quarter mile.
Blizzard
A long period without rain or with very minimal rainfall.
Drought
The transfer of heat in the atmosphere by upward motion of the air.
Convection
A weather pattern created by the warming of the waters off the west coast of South America, which pushes warm water and heavy rains toward the Americas and produces drought conditions in Australia and Asia.
El Niño
The layer of gases released by the burning of coal and petroleum that traps solar energy, causing global temperature to increase.
Greenhouse Effect
The flat treeless lands forming a ring around the Arctic Ocean; the climate region of the Arctic Ocean.
Tundra
