| A | B |
|---|
| continental climat | climat type that develops away from the influence of the ocean. The annual temperature range tends to large and the precipitation is low |
| moderating effect | Effect that large water bodies have on the climat over nearby land areas. Winter temperatures are warmer and summer temperatures are cooler than areas located away from large water bodies. The result is a small annual temperature range. |
| front | Leading edge of an air mass. If the air mass is warm, the leading edge of this air is called a warm front. If the air is cold the leading edge is a cold front. |
| relief precipitation | Precipitation created when an air mass rided to cross a mountain barrier. Also called orographic precipitation. |
| maritime climat | climat that is strongly influenced by the closeness of an ocean or other large waterbody. The annual temperature range tends to be small and precipitation is high. |
| air mass | Large body of air having same moisture and temperature conditions throughout. |
| jet stream | West to east movement of air in mid latitude flowing at speeds of up to 400 km/h at an altitude between 8000 and 15 000 m. |
| cyclonic precipitation | Precipitation caused when a warm, moist air mass is forced to rise by a cool, dry air mass. This is also called frontal precipitation. |
| temperature range | Subtraction of coldest average monthly temperature from warmest average monthly temperature. |
| prevailing winds | Winds that are most commonly found in an area. For example, over most of Canada these are Westerlies, which blow from west to east. |
| convectional precipitation | Precipitation caused on hot summer days, when heated land causes the air above it to rise by convection. As the air rises it cools and condensation occurs. Rain or hail may fall from the thunder clouds that build up. |
