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 state of the atmosphere in a particular place and time, referring to conditions over minutes, hours, and days.

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Example: This image displays icons for various types of weather, such as sunny, rainy, and snowy, which are the short-term conditions of the atmosphere.

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Climate Noun

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[kly-mit]

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Climate

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The long-term pattern of weather in a region, describing how the atmosphere behaves over at least 30 years.

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Example: This diagram shows the greenhouse effect, a key process that determines Earth's climate, where atmospheric gases trap heat from the sun, warming the planet.

Front

Climatologist Noun

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[kly-muh-tol-uh-jist]

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Climatologist

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A scientist who studies climate, its patterns, and its changes over long periods of time.

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Example: A climatologist studies past climates by examining ice cores, which contain trapped air and particles that reveal historical environmental conditions.

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Atmosphere Noun

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[at-muh-sfeer]

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Atmosphere

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The layer of gases surrounding the Earth that, along with other systems, works to produce weather.

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Example: This diagram shows the atmosphere is divided into distinct layers, from the ground up: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere.

Front

Latitude Noun

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[lat-i-tood]

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Latitude

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The distance of a place north or south of the Earth's equator, a major factor influencing a region's climate.

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Example: This diagram shows Earth with horizontal lines of latitude, which measure distance north or south of the Equator, a key factor in determining climate zones.

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Altitude Noun

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[al-ti-tood]

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Altitude

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The height or elevation of an area above sea level, which affects air temperature and local climate conditions.

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Example: This diagram shows that as altitude increases from sea level to a mountain top, the air becomes less dense, causing atmospheric pressure to decrease.

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Topography Noun

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[tuh-pog-ruh-fee]

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Topography

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The physical features and landforms of an area, such as mountains, which can influence local climate.

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Example: This diagram shows how a 3D landscape is translated into a 2D topographic map, where contour lines connect points of the same elevation.

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Rain Shadow Effect Noun

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[rayn shad-oh uh-fekt]

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Rain Shadow Effect

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A phenomenon causing a dry region on the leeward side of a mountain range due to moisture loss on the windward side.

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Example: Prevailing winds push moist air up a mountain, causing it to cool, condense, and rain. The dry air then descends, creating a dry area called a rain shadow.

Front

Windward Noun

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[wind-werd]

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Windward

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The side of a mountain that faces the prevailing wind, typically receiving cool and wet weather.

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Example: Prevailing winds force moist air up the windward side of a mountain, causing the air to cool and release moisture, which supports lush vegetation.

Front

Leeward Noun

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[lee-werd]

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Leeward

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The side of a mountain that is sheltered from the wind, often resulting in dry and warm conditions.

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Example: This diagram shows that the leeward side of a mountain is the dry area, called a rain shadow, where cool, dry air descends.