Section 1
What are the names of weather phenomena capable of creating tornadoes?
Thunderstorms and blizzards
When do storms occur most frequently in the United States?
Spring and Summer
Winds that originate in warm air or pass over a lot of water frequently carry __________?
Moisture
Which climate includes lengthy and extremely cold winters, temperatures above freezing only during the brief summer, light rainfall, and only mosses, lichens, and small bushes grow?
Tundra Climate
What climate exists near the equator in the low latitudes?
Tropical Climates
Hot air rises and flows toward the poles, whereas cold air descends and travels to what?
The Equator
Hurricanes generate huge walls of water known as what?
Storm Surges
Because the Earth is a patchwork of climates, how do geographers distinguish various climates?
Looking at the temperature, precipitation, and native plant life.
Where is the world's largest rainforest located?
Amazon River basin in South America
This climate occurs along east coasts near the tropics. In these areas, warm, moist air blows in from the ocean. Summers are hot and muggy. Winters are mild, with occasional frost and snow. Storms occur year-round. In addition, hurricanes can strike, bringing violent winds, heavy rain, and high seas.
Humid Subtropical Climate
What are the areas around the equator known as?
Lower Latitudes
What is the projected weather for a certain location based on facts and experience called?
Climate
Cold air is heavier than warm air, so what happens when it cools?
Heavy and Sinks
Which climate has four different seasons: short and scorching summers, pleasant spring and fall, and lengthy, cold, and snowy winters?
Humid Continental Climate
What climate exists at the equator, where hot, humid air hangs like a thick, wet blanket, and sweat quickly coats your body?
Humid Tropical Climate
What is the most typical name of strong winds and heavy snowfall in the winter?
Blizzards
What is the name of the warm current that moves north along the United States' East Coast?
The Gulf Stream
Which climate has bone-chillingly cold temperatures, with lows of more than -120°F (-84°C) recorded; snow and ice are present all year, but precipitation is light?
Ice Cap Climate
What is the name given to soil layers that are permanently frozen?
Permafrost
What climate features hot, dry, and sunny summers, with warm and damp winters? Shrubs and small trees coexist with larger trees dispersed around the landscape.
Mediterranean Climate
What results in heavy rain and powerful winds that can reach speeds of 155 mph (250 kph) or higher?
Hurricanes
What do you call a dry spot on a mountainside facing away from the wind?
Rain Shadow
What is the name for seasonal breezes that bring either dry or damp conditions?
Monsoons
Which climate features a long, hot, dry season followed by brief spells of rain? Rainfall is significantly lower than in the equator, but still high. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F (32°C). Winters are cool, but rarely frigid.
Tropical Savanna Climate
What are the five general climate zones?
Tropical, Temperate, Polar, Dry, and Highland
What is the most common cause of storms when this happens?
Two Air Masses Colliding
What can influence an area’s climate by affecting both temperature and precipitation?
Mountains
How does heat circulate across the Earth?
Ocean Currents
Which climate features long, extremely cold winters and brief, cool summers? Temperatures remain below freezing for around half of the year. The climate's moderate rainfall supports huge evergreen forests, called taiga.
Subarctic Climate
What climate exists at the poles and in high latitudes?
Polar Climates
What is the term for the temperature and precipitation from one hour to the next, or day to day?
Weather
What angle is the Earth tilted on?
Axis
Winds that originate in frigid air or pass across large areas of land are frequently _____?
Dry
What are border deserts called?
Steppes
Which climates are chilly to cold in mountain places and are distinct because they comprise multiple climate zones; this is because when you ascend a mountain, the environment changes; temperatures drop, and plant life becomes sparser.
Highland Climates
Why are certain regions warmer than others?
Earth’s tilt, movement, and shape
What are the areas near the poles known as?
Higher Latitudes
What is the name given to gusts that blow in the same direction across significant portions of the Earth?
Prevailing Winds
Which climate exists on the west coastlines, where winds bring moisture in from the sea?
Marine West Coast Climate
Which climate has the hottest and driest conditions, with deserts receiving less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain per year? Dry air and clear skies result in high daytime temperatures and rapid cooling at night. In some deserts, high temperatures can reach 130°F (54°C).
Desert Climate
The Gulf Stream runs north over the United States' East Coast before turning east across the Atlantic to become what?
North Atlantic Drift
A large body of air is referred to as what?
Air Mass
This resource heats and cools slower than land, thus what causes the neighboring land's temperature to be milder?
Large bodies of water
What is the name for places with tall grasses, scattered trees, and shrubs?
Savannas
In the middle latitudes, where the equator meets the poles, what climate prevails?
Temperate Climates
What's the name of a small, rapidly twisting air funnel that reaches the ground?
Tornado
What can produce rain or snow as well as severe weather such as thunderstorms and icy blizzards?
Fronts
What causes the warm air to spread over Europe?
Westerlies
How many species live in the Amazon River Basin in South America?
Around 50,000
Which climate has somewhat more rain than deserts, where short grasses are the most common flora but shrubs and trees thrive alongside streams and rivers?
Steppe Climate