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weather

conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time, can change within minutes or hours

climate

how the atmosphere behaves over a long period of time and space, average regional weather pattern over decades

albedo

the difference between the surfaces that absorb incoming solar radiation

urban areas generally trap heat because of the buildings and asphalt

what happens with heat in urban areas?

valleys

trap heat during the day and gather cold air at night

height

what does temperature decrease with?

lakes and seas

moderate the temperature of the nearby land

warm ocean currents

cause warmer air temperature

sea breezes

cool the land

hot winds from the desert

bring heat to areas far away

air from the upper atmosphere

mixes down to the surface on sunny days

precipitation

air masses are pushed up and their ability to hold water diminishes and rain begins

ITCZ

intertropical convergence zone

climate change

a slow shifting of climate patterns from general cooling or heating of the atmosphere

global warming

observed warming of earths surface and climates

greenhouse effect

a natural process that warms the earths surface by trapping heat from the sun

greenhouse gasses

gasses in the atmosphere that trap heat and warm the earths surface