Chapter 3 Flashcards
(24 cards)
Weather
the condition of the atmosphere at a given time and place
Climate
weather conditions in a region over a long period of time
Temperature
movement of heat
greenhouse effect
the process in which earth’s atmosphere traps warm air
global warming
the process in which earth grows warmer over a period of time
cyclones
winds around centers of low atmospheric pressure
prevailing winds
winds that blow from the same direction most of the time
doldrums
area with no prevailing winds
front
zone of contact between two air masses of widely different temperature or moisture level
evaporation
liquid turns to gas
humidity
amount of water vapor in the air
condensation
water vapor turns to liquid
orographic effect
cooling effect that occurs when air is forced to rise over a mountain
rain shadow
a drier area on the leeward of a mountain
tornadoes
violent twisting air
hurricanes
the most powerful and destructive tropical storms
typhoons
hurricane in the west pacific
permafrost
permanently frozen soil
ecosystem
communities of plants and animals
monsoon
a wind system in which wind doesn’t change direction
arid
dry climate
savannas
areas of tropical grassland and shrubs, and scattered trees
deciduous forest
trees that loose their leaves
coniferous forest
cone bearing evergreen trees
