5th - Science Unit 7 Lesson 2 SG Flashcards
The average weather pattern of a region
Climate
The dry area on the leeward side of a mountain.
Rain shadow
An ocean movement; a large stream of water that flows in the ocean.
Current
An area on a map that uses color to show regions that share certain climates.
Climate zone
Moves along the east coast of the United States and carries warm water from near the equator towards the poles.
Gulf Stream
Every 2 to 7 years, the cold current sinks and stops pushing cold water up to the surface which causes a change in weather condions.
El Niño
A weather condition in which the cold ocean current moves closer to the surface and the air pressure in the eastern Pacific Ocean increases.
La Niña
Two variables that are important in determining climate are?
Temperature and rain fall
A global variable that has a strong effect on climate?
Latitude
Areas that share certain climates are grouped into the same?
Climate zone
How does the Gulf Stream affect climate?
The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the equator to the poles causing the climates to be milder near the coastal areas.
Areas along the equator are located in the?
Tropical zone
Climate zones that have little precipitation and large daily temperature fluctuations are?
Dry or arid
What is El Niño? How often does it occur?
The cold current sinks and stops pushing the cold water up to the surface which causes an change in weather conditions. This happens every 2 to 7 years.
Climate zones located in the interior of a landmass are?
Continental climate zones
What is the location and temperature of the Tropical Climate Zone?
The Tropical Climate Zone is from the equator to 30* north and south. The temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year - it is hot and wet.
What is the location and temperature of the Polar Climate Zone?
The Polar Climate zone is located from the pole to 30*. The temperature is cold and dry - the harshest climates on Earth.