| A | B |
|---|
| climate | average weather of a particular area over a long period of time; includes annual variations in temperature and parcipitation, which are influenced by latitude, closeness of lakes and oceans, topography, wind patterns, and air masses. |
| climatology | study of earth's climate in order to understand and predict climatic change, based on past and present variations in temperature, precipitation, wind, and other weather variables |
| normal | standard values for a location, including rainfall, wind speed, and temperatures bassed on meteorological records compiled for ar least 30 years |
| polar zone | areas of earth where solar radiation strikes at a low angle, resulting in temperatures that are nearly always cold; extend from 66.5 north and south of the equator to the poles. |
| temperature zone | areas of earth that extend between 23.5 and 66.5 north and south of the equator and have moderate temperatures. |
| tropics | area of earth that recieves the most solar radiation is generally warm year-round, and extends between 23.5 south and 23.5 north of the equator |
| heat island | urban area where climate is warmer than in the surrounding countryside due to factors such as numerous concrete buildings and large expanses of asphalt |
| koeppen classification | divides climates into five basic types, based on the mean monthly values of temperature and precipitation and types of vegetation |
| microclimate | localized climate that differs form the surrounding regional climate. |
| el nino | warm ocean current that develops off the western coast of South Amercia and can cause short-term climatic changes felt worldwide. |
| Ice Age | Period of extensive glacial coverage, producing long-term climatic changes |
| Season | Short-term period of climatic change caused by regular variations in temperature, hours of daylight, and weather patterns that are due to the tilt of Earth's axis as it revolves around the Sun, causing different areas of Earth to receive different amounts of solar radiation |
| summer solstice | occurs when the sun is directly overhead at 23.5 north latitude, around June 21, and results in the maximum number of daylight hours for the northern hemisphere and the minimum number for the southern hemisphere. |
| winter solstice | occurs when the sun is directly overhead at 23.5 south latitude, around December 21, and results in the minimum number of daylight hours for the northern hemisphere and the maximum number for the southern hemisphere. |
| vernal equinox | occurs when the sun is directly overhead at the equator and results in day and night or equal length for both northern and southern hemispheres. |
| Autumnal equinox | occurs when the sun is directly overhead at the equator and results in day and night of equal length for both northern and southern hemispheres |
| perihelion | point in a planet's orbit where it is closest to the sun |
| Aphelion | point in a planet's orbit where it is farthest from the sun |
| global warming | rise in global temperatures, which may be due to increases in atmospheric CO2 from defroestation and burning of fossil fuels; a phenomenon related to the greenhouse effect. |
| greenhouse effect | Natural heating of Earth's surface by certain atmospheric gases, which helps keep Earth warm enough to sustain life |
