Flashcard: Understanding Weather and Climate — 10 carte

Weather — definition?

Short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place.

Climate — definition?

Long-term average of weather patterns over years in a region.

Climate factors — main ones?

Latitude, elevation, relief, proximity to water.

Latitude — effect on climate?

Determines sun ray angle; closer to equator = warmer.

Ocean currents — warm or cold?

Transport heat; warm currents raise, cold currents lower coastal temperatures.

Gulf Stream — role?

A warm current influencing North America and Europe’s climate.

Winds — influence?

Drive weather systems; affected by air pressure differences.

Air masses — types?

Maritime (moist) and continental (dry).

Jet stream — function?

Moves weather systems across large regions at high altitude.

Relief — impact?

Mountains cause rain shadows, affecting precipitation.