Climate Change in the Tropics Vocabulary

Flashcards about Climate Change in the Tropics

Weather

The condition of the atmosphere at any given time and place

Climate

The collective pattern of weather over many years; long-term atmospheric conditions over a span of 20-30 years

Climate System

A complete system composed of interlocking subsystems, each with unique characteristics (e.g., albedo, specific heat)

Insolation

Incoming solar radiation

Earth's energy balance

Imbalance created by energy surpluses at the equator and deficits at the poles, causing global circulation of winds and ocean currents

Temperature

Primary controls are latitude, elevation, cloud cover, and land-water heating differences; global winds, ocean currents, and air masses impact it

Air Pressure

Winds flow from areas of high pressure to low pressure; low pressure at the equator creates wet climates, high pressure in subtropical regions creates dry climates

Air Masses

Vast bodies of homogenous air form over oceanic and continental source regions, taking on the characteristics of the region; migrate and carry temperature and moisture to new regions

Atmospheric Moisture

Movement of water through the hydrologic cycle affects weather and ultimately determines climate

Classification

The ordering or grouping of data or phenomena into categories of varying generality, such as the Köppen climate classification

Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification

Based on precipitation and temperature, uses three letters to classify climates based on moisture, aridity, and seasonal variation

Tropical Climate

Most extensive, located in tropical latitudes

Mesothermal Climate

Mild winters, located in midlatitudes, experience seasons

Microthermal Climate

Cold winters, located in mid and high latitudes

Polar Climate

Located in high latitudes and polar regions

Highland Climate

Located at high elevations at all latitudes; have lower temperatures

Dry Climate

Characterized by permanent moisture deficits

Radiant Energy

Energy released from the sun which travels through space in electromagnetic waves

Scattering

Atmospheric molecules physically interact with insolation to redirect radiation, changing the direction of the radiation’s movement without altering its wavelengths

Diffuse Radiation

Arrives at Earth’s surface by scattering and is how we experience 'daylight' on a completely overcast day

Refraction

As insolation passes from one medium to another, its speed and direction change

Albedo

The percentage of insolation that is reflected; the reflective quality/intrinsic brightness of a surface

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that are mostly transparent to shortwave solar radiation but effective at absorbing longwave infrared radiation emitted by Earth and the atmosphere