| A | B |
|---|
| climate | the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time |
| specific heat | the quantity of heat required to raise a unit mass of homogeneous material 1 K or 1 C given constant pressure & volume |
| El Nino | warm-water phase of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation; eastern Pacific Ocean where surface-water temp. becomes unusually warm |
| monsoon | seasonal wind that blows toward land in the summer, bringing heavy rains; away from land in winter bringing dry weather |
| tropical climate | a climate characterized by high temps & heavy precipitation during at least part of the year |
| middle-latitude climate | a climate that has an average maximum temp of 8 degrees C coldest & 10 degrees C in warmest month |
| polar climate | a climate that is characterized by average temps near or below freezing; typical of polar regions |
| microclimate | the climate of a small area |
| climatologist | a scientist who gathers data to study & compare past & present climates-predict future climate change |
| global warming | a gradual increase in the average global temp that is due to a higher concentration of gases in the atmosphere |
