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Weather & Climate
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Hydrosphere | System containing all water on Earth |
Atmosphere | The layer of gases surrounding the Earth |
Altitude | The vertical elevation of an object above a surface (i.e. sea level, land) |
Latitude | The distance, in degrees, North or South of the Equator |
Low-pressure system | Warm, less dense air rising |
High-pressure system | Cold, more dense air sinking |
Weather | The atmospheric conditions along with short-term changes of a certain place at a certain time |
Climate | The long-term, average weather conditions that occur in a particular region |
Ocean currents | A large volume of water flowing in a certain direction |
Air pressure | The force that a column of air applies to the surface below it |
Convection | Transfer of heat from areas of high thermal energy to areas of low thermal energy (hot to cold) |
Conduction | Transfer of heat between substances that are in direct contact with each other |
Radiation | Transfer of heat through empty space |
Tropical storm | A localized, intense low-pressure wind system, forming over deep, warm ocean waters, with strong winds |
Hurricane | Tropical storms that develop over: North Atlantic, Central North Pacific, Eastern North Pacific |
Cyclone | Tropical storms that develop over: South Pacific, Indian Ocean |
Typhoon | Tropical storms that develop over: Northwest Pacific |
Coriolis Effect | Because the Earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere |