Climatology and Factors Influencing Temperature and Rainfall

Practice questions covering the fundamentals of climatology, including temperature factors, moisture, heating of the atmosphere, and world climate regions.

What is the definition of climate?

The condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time (more than 30 years) describing the usual weather experienced in a region.

What is weather?

The condition of the atmosphere from day to day, including elements such as temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation.

How does latitude affect temperature?

Temperature decreases with an increase in latitude; the further away from the equator toward the poles, the colder it gets.

Why are temperatures lower at the poles than at the equator?

At the poles, the sun's rays pass through more atmosphere and strike the earth at an oblique angle, spreading heat over a larger area.

Define mean annual temperature.

The average of the maximum and minimum temperatures for every day in a year.

What is temperature range?

The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures recorded in an area.

Why do seas heat and cool more slowly than land?

Seas are transparent, allowing sun's rays to penetrate deeply to warm a large area, whereas land is solid and rays only heat the top surface quickly.

How does distance from the sea affect the temperature range of inland areas?

Inland areas experience more extreme climates and a larger temperature range compared to coastal areas which are moderated by the sea.

What effect does altitude have on temperature?

Temperature decreases as altitude increases because the atmosphere is primarily heated from the earth upward, and air is thinner at higher altitudes.

At what approximate rate does the atmosphere cool with altitude?

The atmosphere cools at approximately $0.65^{\circ}\text{C}/100\,\text{m}$.

What is insolation?

Incoming solar radiation from the sun that moves through the atmosphere as short-wave radiation.

What is terrestrial radiation?

Long-wave radiation emitted by the heated Earth that warms the atmosphere.

What are ocean currents?

The mass movement of ocean waters in one direction resulting from differences in heat, salinity, and wind impact.

How does a warm ocean current affect the nearby landmass?

It warms the landmass and encourages more evaporation, leading to moist air and higher rainfall.

Name the warm current found along the East Coast of South Africa.

The Agulhas Current.

Name the cold current found along the West Coast of South Africa.

The Benguela Current.

What is orographic relief rain?

Rain that occurs when air is forced to rise over a mountain, causing it to cool, condense, and form clouds.

What is a rain shadow?

A lack of rain occurring on the leeward side of a mountain where air sinks, compresses, and warms.

Define aspect in the context of mountain slopes.

The direction that a mountain slope faces.

In the Southern Hemisphere, which slope direction is warmer?

North-facing slopes.

Which gases in the atmosphere are identified as greenhouse gases?

Water vapour and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$).

What instrument is used to measure humidity?

A hygrometer or a wet and dry bulb thermometer.

How is wind speed measured and in what units?

Wind speed is measured using an anemometer in knots or kilometers per hour ($\text{km/h}$).

What is the difference between the windward slope and the leeward slope?

The windward slope is the side where moist air rises and rain occurs; the leeward slope is the side where air sinks and is dry.

Define the characteristic of the Tundra climate region.

Located at $60^{\circ}\text{--}75^{\circ}\,\text{N/S}$, characterized by permafrost where the land remains frozen throughout the year and no trees grow.

What are the temperature and rainfall characteristics of a Desert climate?

Day temperatures can reach $50^{\circ}\text{C}$ while nights drop below freezing, with rainfall being less than $250\,\text{mm}$ per year.