Weather and Climate Terms

A periodic change in the pattern of ocean currents, water temperature, and weather in the Mid-Pacific region.

• Coriolis effect
• doldrums
• El nino
• Prevailing winds

A narrow, generally windless band near the equator.

• El nino
• Prevailing winds
• rain shadow
• doldrums

Help distribute energy around the planet; can be warm or cold.

• currents
• doldrums
• Coriolis effect
• none of the above

A major type of ecological community defined primarily by distinctive plant and animal groups.

• Oasis
• Biome
• Climate
• Average Daily Temperature

Causes prevailing winds to blow diagonally rather than along strict north, south, east, west directions.

• doldrums
• prevailing winds
• Coriolis effect
• None of the above

The side of the mountain range facing the wind; receives most of the precipitation.

• rain shadow
• windward
• leeward

This often causes dry areas to develop on the leeward side of mountains.

• rain shadow
• Coriolis effect
• doldrums
• windward

The average of the daily high temperature and the overnight low; often used for comparison across climate regions.

• Biome
• Climate
• Oasis
• Average Daily temperature

Referring to vegetation having cones and needle shaped leaves, including many evergreens, that keep their foliage throughout the winter.

• prairie
• coniferous
• deciduous
• mixed forest

Trees that have broad leaves, change color, and drop their leaves in the autumn.

• coniferous
• deciduous
• prairie
• mixed forest