1
What climate type is warm all year with high precipitation and includes rain forests?
tropical climates
___________________________ is the distance of a place north or south of Earth's equator usually expressed in degrees
latitude
A forest with high annual rainfall, no freezing temperatures and a rich collection of plant and animal life is a _______________________
rain forest
Describe the sequence that forms a rain shadow as moist air moves over mountains.
Moist air rises on the windward side, cools, condenses and rains; dry air then descends on the leeward side and warms, causing dry conditions (rain shadow)
What is the most important factor than influences a region's climate?
amount of solar energy receieved
What is the term for the dry area on the downwind side of a mountain where little precipitation falls?
rain shadow
Warm currents make nearby regions warmer and often wetter by increasing evaporation and humidity, which can lead to more _________________________.
precipitation
Land warms and cools ________________than water, so temperatures vary more on land
faster
Water's ________ specific heat causes coastal climates to be more moderate than inland climates
high
Where on Earth (which latitudes) are constant high-pressure systems commonly found that help create many of the world's deserts?
Around 30°N and 30°S latitude.
What term describes the long-term average of weather conditions for a region?
climate
Why is San Diego generally cooler and drier compared to Charleston, SC, according to the text?
Because San Diego is influenced by the cool California Current (cooler, drier), while Charleston is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream (warmer, wetter).
________________________ are dry lands that cover many parts of Earth’s land. Vegetation is sparse in here, commonly covering less than 15 percent of the ground.
deserts
Regions near the equator are generally warmer than polar regions because they receieve (less or more?) direct solar energy?
more
What process do plants use to release water vapor into the atmosphere, helping form clouds?
transpiration
coastal areas to have ____________ temperatures compared to inland continental areas, partly because land warms more quickly than water
milder
Which factor mainly determines whether a region becomes a rain forest or a desert?
precipitation (amount of rainfall)
As altitude increases, air pressure and temperature __________________
decrease
How does vegetation affect local climate? Give two ways from the text.
Plants absorb solar energy (keeping land cooler)
release water vapor through transpiration, contributing to cloud formation and rainfall.
Which climate type is cold year-round with little precipitation?
polar climates