Global Climates and Factors Influencing Weather

Vocabulary flashcards defining key geographic terms, climatic factors, wind systems, and worldwide climate zones covered in the lecture notes.

Climate

The average weather of a large region over $30\text{--}35\text{ years}$.

Latitude

The distance from the equator, described using angles, which determines the angle and intensity of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface.

Temperature Range

The difference between the highest and lowest temperature of a region.

Maritime Climate

A climate influenced by proximity to the sea, characterized by cooler summers, warmer winters, and a smaller temperature range (e.g., Cork with a range of $8^\text{o}\text{C}$).

Continental Climate

An inland climate characterized by a larger temperature range due to distance from the moderating effects of the sea (e.g., Warsaw with a range of $23^\text{o}\text{C}$).

Prevailing Wind

The most common wind blowing over a region, named after the direction from which it blows.

South-Westerly Winds

Warm winds that blow from over the Atlantic, absorbing moisture to bring rain and temperate conditions with cool summers and warmer winters.

Northerly Winds

Cold, usually dry winds originating from high latitudes near the poles.

Easterly Wind

Usually dry winds that blow from over continental Europe, bringing warm conditions in summer and cold conditions in winter without moisture.

Southerly Wind

Warm winds originating from lower latitudes near the equator that bring precipitation as they cool down and lose moisture moving toward higher latitudes.

Aspect

The direction in which a slope faces; south-facing slopes are warmer because the sun rises in the east, whereas north-facing slopes receive cold north-easterly winds.

Altitude

The height of a place above sea level; temperatures decrease at higher elevations because thinner air holds less heat.

Wind-Chill Factor

The lowering of perceived temperature caused by high winds commonly experienced at high altitudes.

Natural Region

An area of the world that has its own unique characteristics that make it different from other areas, including climate, natural vegetation, wildlife, and human activities.

Natural Vegetation

The cover of plants and trees that grow naturally in an area before it is altered by human interference.

Equatorial Climates

Hot climates found between latitudes $30^\text{o}\text{N}$ and $30^\text{o}\text{S}$ with temperatures around $32^\text{o}\text{C}$, high humidity, $2000\,\text{mm}$ of afternoon rainfall, and dense rainforest vegetation.

Hot Desert Climates

Dry climates located between $30^\text{o}\text{N}$ and $30^\text{o}\text{S}$ featuring daytime temperatures of $30^\text{o}\text{C}\text{--}50^\text{o}\text{C}$, low precipitation between $100\,\text{mm}\text{--}250\,\text{mm}$, and drought-adapted flora like cactus, palm, and yucca.

Savanna Climates

Tropical climates with year-round temperatures of $25\text{--}35^\text{o}\text{C}$, an average annual rainfall over $800\,\text{mm}$, and landscapes consisting of scattered trees and grassland.

Desertification

The process of fertile land turning into desert as desert conditions spread into adjacent areas.

The Sahel

A region located at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert that is severely impacted by desertification.

Shelter Belts

Rows of trees planted to act as windbreaks and slow down soil erosion in areas prone to desertification.

Cool Temperate Oceanic Climates

Mid-latitude climates with summers of $15\text{--}17^\text{o}\text{C}$, winters of $4\text{--}6^\text{o}\text{C}$, precipitation between $700\,\text{mm}$ and $2{,}000\,\text{mm}$, cloudy changeable weather, and deciduous forests.

Warm Temperate Oceanic Climates

Mid-latitude Mediterranean climates with summer temperatures averaging $30^\text{o}\text{C}$, winter temperatures of $7\text{--}11^\text{o}\text{C}$, rainfall of $400\text{--}700\,\text{mm}$, and evergreen woodlands.

Tundra Climates

Cold climates in the northern hemisphere with short dry summers ($5^\text{o}\text{C}$), long cold winters ($-24^\text{o}\text{C}$), low precipitation ($250\,\text{mm}$), and vegetation restricted to heathers, mosses, and lichens.

Boreal Climates

Subarctic climates with mild summers ($10\text{--}15^\text{o}\text{C}$) due to long daylight hours, cold winters ($-13^\text{o}\text{C}$), $400\,\text{mm}$ precipitation, and coniferous forests.

Taiga

Evergreen coniferous forests typical of boreal climate regions.