Climate, Weather, and Life

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Climate Noun

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[kly-mit]

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Climate

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The long-term patterns and averages of environmental conditions like temperature, precipitation, and wind over many years in a region.

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Example: The sun's energy enters the atmosphere. Some is trapped by greenhouse gases, warming the Earth over long periods and creating its climate.

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Weather Noun

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[weth-er]

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Weather

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The short-term, day-to-day changes in atmospheric conditions such as temperature, precipitation, clouds, and wind in a specific place.

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Example: Solar radiation heats the Earth's surface, causing warm air to rise, cool, and condense, forming clouds and driving weather patterns.

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Greenhouse Effect Noun

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[green-hows uh-fekt]

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Greenhouse Effect

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The natural process where certain atmospheric gases trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space and warming the Earth's surface.

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Example: Solar radiation from the sun enters Earth's atmosphere, and some of the heat is trapped by greenhouse gases, warming the planet.

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Greenhouse Gases Noun

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[green-hows gas-iz]

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Greenhouse Gases

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Atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that absorb and re-radiate heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

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Example: Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), trap heat from the sun in the atmosphere, which warms the Earth.

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Tropical Zone Noun

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[trop-i-kuhl zohn]

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Tropical Zone

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The climate region near the equator, characterized by warm to hot temperatures year-round and direct solar energy exposure.

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Example: This world map shows the Tropical Zone as the area of Earth located between the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the south.

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Temperate Zones Noun

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[tem-per-it zohnz]

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Temperate Zones

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The climate regions located between the tropical and polar zones, which experience distinct seasonal changes in temperature and weather.

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Example: The Temperate Zones are the regions on Earth located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle, and between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle.

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Polar Zones Noun

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[poh-ler zohnz]

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Polar Zones

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The climate regions at the highest latitudes, characterized by extremely cold winters, cool summers, and indirect solar energy.

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Example: This diagram shows that due to the Earth's curve, the sun's energy spreads over a larger area at the poles, making them colder.

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Ocean Currents Noun

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[oh-shun kur-ents]

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Ocean Currents

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The large-scale, continuous movement of seawater in the ocean, driven by winds, temperature differences, and variations in salinity.

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Example: This map shows the Gulf Stream, a major ocean current that carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic Ocean, influencing climate.

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Surface Currents Noun

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[sur-fis kur-ents]

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Surface Currents

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The horizontal movement of water at the ocean's surface, primarily created and driven by the force of prevailing winds.

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Example: This world map shows how large surface currents move in circular patterns called gyres, transporting warm and cold water around the globe and influencing climate.

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Deep Ocean Currents Noun

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[deep oh-shun kur-ents]

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Deep Ocean Currents

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The slow movement of water far below the ocean's surface, caused by density differences from temperature and salinity changes.

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Example: In polar regions, cold and salty water becomes dense, sinks, and flows along the ocean floor, creating a deep ocean current.