Weathering the Storm

Weather

The day-to-day changes in the atmosphere.

Climate

The overall pattern of weather averaged over 30 years.

Convectional Rainfall

Rainfall occurring when warm air rises, cools, and condenses, often found in humid climates.

Orographic Rainfall

Rainfall caused by moist air rising over a mountain barrier, cooling and condensing to form rain.

Rain Shadow

The drier side of a mountain where moisture has been lost on the windward side.

Frontal Rainfall

Rain that occurs when warm, moist air rises over cooler air, leading to cloud formation and precipitation.

Baffin Island, Canada

An area where climate change has resulted in melting blue ice, becoming slushy.

El Nino

A weather pattern characterized by warmer than normal ocean temperatures in the Pacific, affecting global weather.

Latitude

The distance north or south of the Equator; affects sunlight intensity and climate.

Altitude

The distance above sea level; higher altitude generally means lower temperatures.

Relief

The physical shape of the land, affecting local climate and weather patterns.

Greenhouse Effect

The process of gases trapping heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Global Warming

The ongoing rise in Earth's average temperature due to increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Barometer

An instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Thermometer

An instrument used to measure temperature.

Anemometer

An instrument that measures wind speed.

Rain Gauge

An instrument used to measure the amount of precipitation.

Continental Climate

A climate characterized by hot summers and cold winters, typical of inland areas.

Maritime Climate

A climate influenced by the nearby ocean, with moderate temperatures and precipitation.

Anticyclone

An area of high pressure, often bringing clear and calm weather.

Depression

An area of low pressure associated with cloudy and stormy weather.

Warm Front

A boundary where warm air rises over cold air, producing widespread precipitation.

Cold Front

A boundary where warm air is abruptly lifted over cold air, causing severe weather.

Hokitika

A New Zealand location known for receiving a lot of orographic rainfall.

Christchurch

A New Zealand city that experiences relatively low rainfall due to the shelter of the Southern Alps.

Wellington

A New Zealand city characterized by windy conditions, funneled through the Cook Strait.

Nelson

A location in New Zealand where ocean proximity prevents extreme temperatures.

Climate Change Evidence

Observations such as melting ice in Canada and loss of islands in Palau that indicate climate change.

Impact of Climate Change

Changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and environmental degradation linked to human activities.

Extreme Weather Event

Severe or unusual weather phenomena that significantly deviate from average weather patterns.

Mount Cook

A high altitude area in New Zealand that experiences much lower temperatures compared to surrounding regions.

Tropical climate

hot, humid and rainy climates found mostly between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

Temperate climate

environments with average tempreatures, warm summers, cold winters.

Polar climate

consists of cool summers and very cold winters, which results in treeless tundra, glaciers, or a permanent or semi-permanent layer of ice

La Niña

A weather pattern with cooler ocean temperatures in the central Pacific, causing changes in rainfall and temperature around the world.