| A | B |
|---|
| Climate | year-after-year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds and clouds in an area |
| Main temperature factors | latitude, altitude, distance from bodies of water, and ocean currents |
| Tropical zones | 23.5 degrees north and south latitude |
| Tropical zones | warm climate because receives year-round direct light |
| Polar zones | 66.5 to 90 degrees north and south latitudes |
| Polar zones | warm summers and cold winters |
| Air temperature increases | Altitude decreases |
| Marine climates | warm winters and cool summers |
| Continental climates | occur inland areas and have cold winters and warm or hot summers |
| Main precipitation factors | prevailing winds and the presence of mountains |
| Warm air | carries more water than cold |
| Windward side of mountains | receive more precipitation |
| Leeward side of mountains | receive less precipitation |
| Microclimates | small areas with specific climate conditions |
| Seasons | are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis as Earth travels around the sun |
| Air mass | a huge body of air that has similar temperature, humidity and air pressure throughout |
| Tropical air mass | warm air mass that forms in the tropics and has low humidity |
| Polar air mass | air masses that form at 50 degrees north and south latitude an have high air pressure |
| Maritime air mass | air mass that forms over oceans and are humid |
| Continental air mass | air mass that forms over the land and are dry |
| Gulf of Mexico Maritime tropical air mass | bring warm, humid air to the eastern U.S. |
| Pacific Ocean Maritime tropical air mass | bring warm, humid air to the West Coast |
| Canadian Continental polar air masses | bring cold air to central and eastern U.S. |
| Four major types of fronts | Cold fronts, warm fronts, occluded fronts, and stationary fronts |
| Cold fronts | move quickly and bring cold,dry air |
| Warm fronts | move slowly and bring warm, humid air |
| Stationary fronts | are cold and warm air masses that do not move and bring many days of clouds and precipitation |
| Occluded fronts | when a warm air mass is caught between two cold air masses |
| Cyclone | swirling center of low pressure and are called "LOWS" that lead to storms and precipitation |
| Anticyclones | high-pressure centers of dry air called "HIGHS" that lead to dry, clear weather |
