Chapter 3 Vocabulary: Climate and Vegetation

Either of two times of year when the sun's rays shine directly overhead at noon at the furthest points north or south, and that mark the beginning of summer and winter.

• solstice
• equinox
• weather
• climate

Each of the two days a year on which day and night are equal in length; marks the beginning of spring and autumn.

• biome
• solstice
• equinox
• ecosystem

The condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time.

• climate
• convection
• tornado
• weather

The typical weather conditions at a particular location as observed over time.

• rain forest
• typhoon
• climate
• weather

Falling water droplets in the form of rain, sleet, snow or hail.

• tundra
• precipitation
• el nino
• blizzard

The land on the leeward side of hills or mountains that get little rain from the descending dry air.

• rain shadow
• precipitation
• permafrost
• drought

A storm that forms over warm, tropical ocean waters.

• hurricane
• tundra
• savanna
• steppe

A tropical storm, like a hurricane, that occurs in the western pacific.

• hurricane
• typhoon
• westerlies
• deciduous

A powerful funnel-shaped column of spiraling air.

• hurricane
• typhoon
• blizzard 
• tornado

A  heavy snowstorm with winds of more than 35 miles per hour and reduced visibility of less than one-quarter mile.

• convection
• tundra
• rain shadow
• blizzard