Atmosphere, Oceans & Climate

weather

a short-term description of the atmospheric conditions in a certain area

climate

long-term description of the average weather statistics (temperature and precipitation) for an area

radiation

how light energy travels through space from the Sun to the Earth

conduction

how the surface of the Earth heats the air directly above it

convection

how heat rises upward through the atmosphere

direct rays

more intense sunlight rays experienced by locations near the Earth's equator

indirect rays

less intense sunlight rays experienced by locations near the Earth's poles

Coriolis Effect

effect produced by the Earth's rotation that makes objects appear to deflect from a straight path into a curved path

altitude

a location's height above sea level (also known as "elevation")

Rain Shadow Effect

process that creates warm, dry climates on the leeward side of mountain ranges along a coastline

ocean current

a relatively stable, continuous flow of water through the ocean

surface currents

currents influenced by the Coriolis Effect and continental coastlines

deep currents

currents influenced by differences in water density (due to temperature and salinity changes)

warm ocean currents

add heat and moisture to the air, making climate warmer and wetter than usual

cold ocean currents

remove heat and moisture from the air, making climate cooler and drier than usual