LAND 340 - Arid Climates & Climate Zones (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to arid climates and climate zones from the notes.

Latitude

Distance north or south of the equator; farther from the equator yields longer, colder winters and larger seasonal daylight changes.

Elevation

Height above sea level; higher elevations mean longer, colder winters and greater diurnal temperature ranges due to intense sunlight and cooler nights.

Ocean Influence

Marine air from the Pacific that tends to be mild and moist in the cool season, bringing moisture inland.

Continental Air Influence

Air masses from the North American continent; colder in winter, hotter in summer, precipitation year‑round; stronger inland influence and wind.

Rain Shadow Effect

Coastal mountain ranges remove moisture from air as it moves east, creating drier interiors; examples include Sierra/Cascades and interior mountains of SoCal.

Great Basin/Plains/Mountains & Hills Influence

Terrain regions that determine whether areas beyond are influenced by marine or continental air masses.

Microclimates

Small-scale climate differences caused by local terrain, slope, and orientation.

South facing slopes

Slopes that receive more solar heat, producing warmer microclimates than flat land.

North facing slopes

Slopes that receive less solar heat, producing cooler microclimates than flat land.

Slope and airflow

Slope orientation affects air movement; hot air rises and cold air sinks, creating distinct microclimates.

Thermal Belts

The zone between hilltops and bottoms that does not get as cold as either extreme in winter.

Cold Air Basins

Lowland areas where cold air flows and tends to settle, creating cold pockets.

Mojave Desert

Desert in southern California; Sunset Zone 11; USDA zones 9a–9b; characterized by wide temperature swings, alkaline soils, low moisture, and wind.

Sunset Zone 9a/9b & USDA Equivalents

Climate ranges corresponding to arid zones with extreme summer heat and winter cold; often with dry soils and high temperature variability.

Arid Climate

Aridness is defined by how rainwater accumulates in soil; evaporation exceeds rainfall, causing soil moisture deficits.

Evaporation vs Rainfall

The balance where evaporation exceeds rainfall, preventing soil moisture accumulation.

Arid Environment

Low rainfall (≈5 inches or less); rain occurs in pulses; cool, moist air can allow rain to accumulate; heat is not always required; low humidity is not a reliable indicator.

Fog Deserts

Deserts with scarce rainfall, cooled by cold ocean currents that create fog; examples include the Chilean coast and the West Coast of Baja.

High / Upper Zone Climates

Elevations about 3000–5000 ft; transitional plant zones; roughly 200–220 day growing season.

Low Zone Climates

Low elevations near sea level to ~2000 ft; year‑round growing season; winter lows around 36–37°F; summer highs around 102°F; summer nights 80°F+; rainfall around 8 inches.

Medium Zone Climates

Mild winters; around 2500 ft elevation; 220–242 growing days; winter lows 15–18°F; summer highs in the high 90s; summer nights ~70°F; rainfall 10–15 inches.

Arid Grasslands (Savannahs)

Grassland zones that accumulate rain in the soil; support complete grass cover; examples include Bakersfield, CA and the Southern California coastal strip; rainfall 7–15 inches; irrigation often needed 9–10 months/year.

Bakersfield, California

Example location within arid grasslands; typically receives about 7–15 inches of annual rainfall.

Southern California coastal strip

Arid grassland area along the southern California coast characterized by low rainfall and reliance on irrigation for landscaping.