VOCABULARY
What do you call moisture that falls from the sky as rain, snow, sleet, and hail?
precipitation
In the rain shadow effect, which SIDE has warm dry air?
leeward side
There are 2 types of these: warm and cold. What are these called?
air masses
What are the 3 zones of latitude?
high, middle, low
What occurs where polar winds and the westerlies collide?
storms
What do you call the weather conditions over a period of time?
weather
Mountain barriers create the orographic effect or the _____________________.
rain shadow
What is the most important factor in determining climate?
latitude
What climate zone has only 1 season which is cold?
high or polar
What is an abnormal weather pattern caused by the warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, off the west coast of South America?
El Niño
What is the daily condition of the atmosphere?
weather
Which type of current creates wet conditions?
warm
What takes longer to heat up - land or water?
water
What climate zone has 4 seasons?
middle or temperate
What is an abnormal weather pattern caused by the cooling of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, off the coast of South America?
La Niña
It takes the earth 24 hours to complete one _______.
rotation
What type of pressure bring heavy, cool air with clear skies and no rain?
high
What is the effect of location on a climate called?
continentality
What climate zone has 2 seasons?
low or tropical
During a _____________ year in the US, winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the Southeast and cooler than normal in the Northwest.
La Niña
It takes the earth 365 and 1/4 days to complete a_______________.
revolution
Winds blow in a straight line. What causes earth's winds to turn right or left?
rotation of the earth
The higher the elevation; the colder the temperature. This determines the type of _________________ that grows there.
vegetation
What are the 2 seasons of a tropical climate?
rainy and dry
____________is an abnormal weather pattern caused by the warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, off the west coast of South America. The sun warms the water near the equator, which can make more clouds and more rain. Usually trade winds blow the warm water to the west.
El Niño