Climates vocab Flashcards
condition of the atmosphere in one place during a short period of time
Weather-
weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time
Climate-
an imaginary line that runs through the center of the Earth between the North and South Poles
Axis-
in astronomy, the Earth’s yearly trip around the sun, taking 365 1/4 days
Revolution-
one of two days (about March 21 and September 23) on which the sun is directly above the Equator, making day and night equal in length
Equinox-
one of two days on which the sun’s rays strike directly on the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn, marking the beginning of summer or winter
Solstice-
continuous daylight, or where the sun is visible at midnight during the summer in either the Arctic or Antarctic Circle
Midnight sun-
the capacity of certain gases in the atmosphere to trap heat, thereby warming the Earth
Greenhouse effect-
cold or warm stream of seawater that flows in the oceans, generally in a circular pattern
Current-
wind in a region that blows in a fairly constant directional pattern
prevailing wind-
the resulting diagonal movement, either north or south, of prevailing winds caused by the Earth’s rotation
Coriolis effect-
a frequently windless area near the Equator
Doldrums-
a periodic reversal of the pattern of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region
El Niño-
being in or facing the direction from which the wind is blowing
Windward-
being in or facing the direction toward which the wind is blowing
Leeward-
result of a process by which dry areas develop on the leeward sides of mountain ranges
Rain shadow-
a major type of ecological community defined primarily by distinctive plant and animal groups
Biome-
plant life that grows in a certain area if people have not changed the natural environment
Natural vegetation-
the average of the daily high temperature and the overnight low; often used for comparison across climate regions
Average daily temperature-
small area in a desert where water and vegetation are found
Oasis-
an inland grassland area
Prairie-
referring to vegetation having cones and needle-shaped leaves, including many evergreens, that keep their foliage throughout the winter
Coniferous-
falling off or shed seasonally or periodically; trees such as oak and maple, which lose their leaves in autumn
Deciduous-
forest with both coniferous and deciduous trees
Mixed forest-
permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground
Permafrost-
