Chapter 4 Climate and Climate Changes Vocabulary Review

the characteristic weather conditions in an area over a long period of time climate

the distance in degrees north or south of the Equator latitude

a climate influenced by a nearby ocean, with generally mild temperatures and steady precipitation marine climate

a stream of water that flows through the ocean in a regular pattern ocean current

a period of the year associated with specific weather conditions season

One of the major divisions in a system for classifying the climates of different regions based on characteristics they have in common climate zone

an area on the downwind side of a mountain that gets less precipitation than the side that faces the wind rain shadow

A disturbance of wind patterns and ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean that causes temporary climate changes in many parts of the world El Nino

the warmer body of air over a city urban heat island

a climate that occurs in the interior of a continent, with large temperature differences between seasons continental climate

the climate of a smaller area within a subclimate microclimate

a period of time during which surface temperatures drop significantly and huge ice sheets spread out beyond the polar regions ice age