|
Weather
|
The short term state of the atmosphere at a given time or place
|
|
Climate
|
The long-term record of weather patterns for a given area
|
|
Atmosphere
|
A layer of gas that surrounds a planet
|
|
Meteorology
|
The study of weather & Earth’s atmosphere
|
|
Wind
|
The movement of air caused by differences in air pressure
|
|
Global Winds
|
A pattern of wind systems that occur over long distances at or near Earth’s surface
|
|
Local Winds
|
The movement of air that occurs over short distances
|
|
Convection Current
|
A circular current driven by upward movement of warm material and downward movement of cooler material
|
|
Coriolis Effect
|
The apparent curving of wind or water currents due to Earth’s rotation
|
|
Humidity
|
A measure of the amount of moisture in the atmosphere
|
|
Air Mass
|
A large body of air with a particular temperature and humidity
|
|
Front
|
The border between two different air masses
|
|
Cold Front
|
A front that occurs when a cold air mass moves in and replaces a warm air mass
|
|
Warm Front
|
A front that occurs when a warm air mass moves in and replaces a cold air mass
|
|
Atmospheric Pressure
|
A force resulting from a column of air molecules pressing down on an area.
|
|
Low Pressure System
|
An area created by rising warm air which brings humid stormy weather
|
|
High Pressure System
|
An area created by sinking cold air which brings dry and fair weather
|
|
Surface Currents
|
Wind-driven currents that move at the ocean surface
|
|
Deep Ocean Currents
|
Density and temperature driven currents that move slowly within the ocean
|
|
Hurricane
|
A tropical cyclone with wind speeds of at least 119 km (74 mph)
|