Weather and Climate

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Weather Noun

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[weth-er]

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Weather

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The day-to-day state of the atmosphere at a specific location, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and sunshine.

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Example: This image displays eight examples of weather conditions, including sunny, cloudy, rain, and snow, which are different states of the atmosphere.

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Climate Noun

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[klahy-mit]

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Climate

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The long-term average of weather patterns in a particular region, typically calculated over a period of 30 years.

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Example: This map shows Earth's main climate zones, demonstrating that climate is the long-term weather pattern of a region, which changes with latitude.

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Latitude Noun

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[lat-i-tood]

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Latitude

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The angular distance of a place north or south of the Earth's equator, which significantly influences regional climate conditions.

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Example: This diagram shows Earth with horizontal lines called lines of latitude, which measure distance north or south of the 0° line, the Equator.

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Altitude Noun

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[al-ti-tood]

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Altitude

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The height of an object or point in relation to sea level, which affects local temperature and precipitation patterns.

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Example: This diagram shows that altitude is the height above sea level. As altitude increases, from sea level to the top of Mt. Everest, the amount of available oxygen decreases.

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Continentality Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tal-i-tee]

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Continentality

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The measure of how the climate of a place is affected by its distance from large bodies of water.

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Example: This map shows that an inland city (Wichita) has a much larger temperature range between summer and winter than coastal cities like San Francisco.

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Ocean Currents Noun

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[oh-shuhn kur-ents]

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Ocean Currents

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Continuous, directed movements of seawater generated by forces like wind and temperature differences that influence regional climates.

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Example: This world map shows how ocean currents move in large circular patterns called gyres, with red arrows indicating warm water and blue arrows indicating cold water.

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Greenhouse Effect Noun

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[green-hous ih-fekt]

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Greenhouse Effect

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The natural process by which certain atmospheric gases trap heat, warming the Earth's surface to a life-sustaining temperature.

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Example: Solar radiation from the sun passes through the atmosphere, but heat rising from Earth is trapped by greenhouse gases, warming the planet.

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Climate Zones Noun

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[klahy-mit zohns]

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Climate Zones

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Distinct regions of the Earth classified by their long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other climatic characteristics.

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Example: This world map uses different colors to show the main climate zones, which are large areas with similar long-term weather patterns, like polar and tropical.

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Microclimate Noun

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[mahy-kroh-klahy-mit]

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Microclimate

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The climate of a very small or restricted area, especially when this differs from the climate of the surrounding region.

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Example: This diagram shows how cities create a microclimate, becoming warmer than surrounding rural areas due to buildings and pavement absorbing more heat.

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Lake-Effect Snow Noun

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[leyk-ih-fekt snoh]

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Lake-Effect Snow

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Snowfall produced when cold air moves across large expanses of warmer lake water, picking up and depositing moisture.

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Example: Cold wind blows over a warmer lake, picking up moisture and heat. This moist air rises, cools, forms clouds, and drops heavy snow over land.