Modern Earth Science Chap. 26

Front 1

Climate

Back 1

Average weather conditions of a region, or the weather patterns that occur over many years

Hint 1

Years and patterns

Front 2

Temperature range

Back 2

The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures of a day

Front 3

Latitude

Back 3

Major influence on the climate of a region or distance from the equator

Front 4

Solar energy

Back 4

The angle at which the rays of the sun strike the earth and the number of hours of daylight the location receives. The angle at which the sun's rays strike a region is determined by its latitude and the earth's tilt

Front 5

El nino

Back 5

Begins with a weakening of the trade winds that usually push warm water toward the western Pacific ocean. Has warm currents that flow eastward

Front 6

Wind patterns

Back 6

Determines global wind belts that affect a region and the general direction of they wind in any particular location

Front 7

Doldrum

Back 7

In the equator belt of low pressure the air rises and cools, and water vapor condenses

Front 8

Specific heat

Back 8

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 g of a substance 1c.

Front 9

ocean currents

Back 9

The amount of heat absorbed or released by the air. If winds constantly blow toward the shore, currents have a stronger effect on air masses

Front 10

Seasonal winds

Back 10

During the summer, the land heats up more quickly than the ocean does. Winter, land loses heat more quickly than the ocean does and the cool air flows away from the land

Front 11

Monsoons

Back 11

The cool air in the winter flows away from the land and so the wind moves seaward

Front 12

Topography

Back 12

Shape of the land. The height of landlords produces distinct temperature changes

Front 13

Foehn

Back 13

A warm, dry wind that flows down the eastern slopes of the Alps

Front 14

Chinooks

Back 14

Dry, warm wind that flows down the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains

Front 15

Mistral

Back 15

Blows down from the snowcapped Alps to the Mediterranean sea, is a strong, cold wind

Front 16

Bora

Back 16

Blows from the mountains of Greece and the Balkan nations to the Adriatic sea

Front 17

tropical climates

Back 17

The warm zone immediately around the equator. Average monthly temperature of at least 18c.

Front 18

Polar climates

Back 18

Average monthly temperature is never higher than 10c. Continental and maritime polar

Front 19

Middle latitude climates

Back 19

Between tropical and polar climate zones. No warmer than 18c in the coldest and no cooler than 10c in the warmest month

Front 20

Tropical rain forest climate

Back 20

Warm, humid regions within 5-10 degrees on either side of the equator and covered with dense, rain-forest vegetation

Front 21

Tropical desert climate

Back 21

Warm, dry weather conditions occur in regions about 20 -30 degrees latitude north and south of the equator. Influenced by the sinking, warming and dry air masses of the subtropical highs

Front 22

Tropical savanna climate

Back 22

Occurs in areas located between the tropical rain forest and the tropical desert. The precipitation belts shift toward the poles, producing very wet summers and very dry winters

Front 23

Savanna

Back 23

Consists of open areas of coarse grasses that grow in clumps

Front 24

Polar climates

Back 24

Climates that are mainly influenced by polar air massesboccur in the regions between 55 latitude and the poles.

Front 25

Subarctic climate

Back 25

All the land between 55 and 65 north latitude. Dry continental polar air masses control this climate.

Front 26

Tundra climate

Back 26

Named for vegetation. No trees, ground covered with mosses, lichens and plants. North of the Arctic circle and part of Alaska. Dry cold air and receives little precipitation

Front 27

Middle latitude climate

Back 27

North America stretches from central America, in the tropical climate zone, to northern Canada and Alaska, in the polar climate zone.

Front 28

Marine west coast climate

Back 28

Between 40 and 60 north latitude. In three belt of prevailing westerly winds of cool, moist maritime polar air. 20 in summer and 7 in winter.

Front 29

Mediterranean climate

Back 29

Regions along the central and southern California coast have a climate like that of the coast of the Mediterranean sea. Located between regions with a tropical desert climate and a marine west coast climate. 30-40 latitude

Front 30

Middle latitude desert

Back 30

35 and 50 north latitude. Much of the land in the western united states, other than the coasts and mountains. Little precipitation

Front 31

Humid continental climate

Back 31

The wetter regions east of the steppe climates and extending to the east coast in north America and asia. Summers are warm and humid. Winters are cold

Front 32

Humid subtropical climate

Back 32

The souther regions of continents located between 30 and 40 north and south latitude. Summer is moist and moves north. Winters bring brief but intense cold

Front 33

Local climates

Back 33

The climate in any particular place my bee influenced by the local conditions as well as by the major factors that have been discussed.

Front 34

Wind cyclone

Back 34

Area of closed circular fluid motion rotating in the same direction as the earth