Geography: Climate and weather Concepts

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering geographical features, weather elements, and climate zones based on the lecture notes.

Physical regions

Areas that have one dominant natural feature.

Extreme landscape

A landscape characterized by a big difference between the highest and lowest values.

Moderate

To keep in the middle or prevent extremes.

Frosts

Ice crystals that form on outdoor surfaces when temperatures drop below the freezing point.

Condense

When water changes from a gas or vapor state to a liquid state, occurring when air cools to $0^\circ\text{C}$ or lower.

Fogs

Condensed moisture in the air which makes it difficult to see.

Humid

Air that is moist and damp.

Mild

Weather that is not very hot or very cold.

Physical map

A map that shows geographical features such as mountains and rivers.

Plateau

A large area of flat land situated above sea level.

Coastal plain

Flat, low-lying land located along the coast.

Mountain range

A continuous line of mountains or hills.

Escarpment

A long steep slope that separates an area of high ground from a low-lying area.

Climate

The usual conditions in the atmosphere over a long term, often measured over decades.

Weather

The short-term, day-to-day conditions in the atmosphere.

Relief

The physical shape of the land.

Inland

Areas located far from the coast.

Altitude

The height of a place above sea level.

Radiation

Heat energy received from the sun.

Intensely

Describing something that is very strong, such as direct sunlight at the equator.

Latitude

The distance of a place north or south of the equator.

Temperature range

The numerical difference between the highest and lowest temperatures of a place.

Moderating effect

The influence of the sea that results in a small temperature range in coastal areas.

Maritime climate

A climate influenced by the sea, characterized by moderate temperatures and a small range.

Continental climate

A climate found further inland with an extreme temperature range (hot summers and cold winters).

Agulhas current

A warm ocean current on the East coast of South Africa that brings more moisture and rainfall.

Benguela current

A cold ocean current on the West coast of South Africa that leads to cooler temperatures and less rainfall.

Windward side

The side of a mountain facing the wind where warm moist air rises, cools, and results in rain.

Leeward side

The side of a mountain sheltered from the wind where dry air sinks, often creating a rain shadow desert.

Humidity

The amount of water vapour present in the air.

Water vapour

Water in the air existing in the form of a gas.

Anemometer

An instrument used to measure the speed of the wind.

Knots

The unit of measurement used for wind speed.

Precipitation

Any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere to the ground, including rain, hail, and snow.

Rain gauge

An instrument used to measure the amount of rainfall.

Tropical climate

A climate zone near the equator with hot summers, warm winters, and high rainfall usually in summer.

Subtropical climate

A climate zone similar to tropical, found in areas like Durban and Zambia.

Temperate climate

A climate with relatively high summer temperatures and rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year.

Desert climate

A very dry climate with almost no rain, characterized by hot days and cold nights.

Semi-desert

An area around a desert that receives very little rain, typically less than $250\,mm$ per year.

Polar climate

A very cold climate throughout the year with very little precipitation, mostly occurring as snow at the North and South poles.

Mediterranean climate

A climate with hot, dry summers and relatively warm, wet winters, such as in Cape Town.

Tundra climate

A climate with cool summers and very cold winters where the ground remains frozen while snow melts in summer.

High mountain (alpine) climate

A climate affected by high altitude, experiencing lower temperatures and heavy snow or rain.