GEO 130 - Temperature Patterns

Temperature

Measure of the kinetic energy (molecular movement) of matter

Thermometer

Instrument used to measure temperature

Celsius (°C)

Temperature scale used internationally

Fahrenheit (°F)

Temperature scale used in the United States

Kelvin (K)

Temperature scale used in science; starts at absolute zero

Standard shelter height

Conventional height above the ground where air temperature is measured, since it changes with altitude

Apparent temperature

How hot or cold the air feels to people, rather than the thermometer reading

Heat index

Felt-temperature measure used in summer (heat combined with humidity)

Wind chill index

Felt-temperature measure used in winter (cold combined with wind)

Diurnal temperature cycle

The daily rise and fall of temperature at a location

Annual temperature cycle

The yearly rise and fall of temperature at a location

Mean daily temperature

(Maximum + minimum) ÷ 2

Temperature range

Difference between the maximum and minimum temperature

Temperature lag

Delay between peak sunlight and peak temperature, because temperature follows net radiation rather than insolation

Net radiation

Incoming minus outgoing radiation; the quantity temperature change is most directly tied to

Temperature gradient

The rate of temperature change over space

Latitudinal temperature gradient

Change in temperature mean and range from the equator to the poles, following local insolation

Longitudinal temperature gradient

Change in temperature related to a location's distance from the ocean; mainly affects temperature range

Land–water heating differences

Contrast caused by differences in evaporation, transparency, specific heat, and movement (currents) between two surface types

Specific heat

Energy needed to raise a substance's temperature; much higher for water than for land

Maritime effect

Moderating influence of nearby ocean that produces a small temperature range

Continental effect

Lack of ocean influence inland that produces a large temperature range and more extreme temperatures

Cloud cover (effect on temperature)

Blocks direct sunlight and cools the surface below

Isotherm map

Map of lines of equal temperature, drawn for max, min, or range at different times of year

Urban heat island

Cities being warmer than surrounding areas because of human-modified surfaces and energy use

Impervious surfaces

Pavement and roofs that water can't soak into, causing fast runoff; a contributor to urban warming