APES Module 9, 10, & 11

Climate

The average weather that occurs in a given region over a long period of time

Weather

The short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a local area, which include temperature, humidity, clouds, precipitation and wind speed

Toposphere

A layer of the atmosphere closest to the surface of Earth, extending up to app. 16 km

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, extending roughly 16-50 km above the surface of the Earth

Albedo

The percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface

Saturation point

The max. amount of water vapor in the air at a given temp.

Adiabatic cooling

The cooling effect on reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands

Adiabatic heating

The heating effect of increased pressure on air as it sinks toward the surface of Earth and decreases in volume

Latent heat release

The release of energy when water vapor in the atmosphere condenses into liquid water

Atmospheric convection current

Global patterns of air movement that are initiated by the unequal heating of Earth

Hadley cell

A convection current in the atmosphere that cycles between the equator and 30 N and 30 S

Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

The latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, which causes the ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge

Polar cell

A convection current in the atmosphere, formed by air that rises at 60 N and 60 S and sinks at the poles, 90 N and 90 S

Ferrell cell

A convection current in the atmosphere that lies between Hadley cells and polar cells

Coriolis effect

The deflection of an object's path due to the rotation of the Earth

Rain shadow

A region with dry conditions found on the leeward side of a mountain ranges as a result of humid winds from the ocean causing precipitation on the windward side

Gyre

A large-scale pattern of water circulation that moves clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

Upwelling

The upward movement of ocean water toward the surface as a result of diverging currents

Thermohaline circulation

An oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water

El Nino- Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific