Understanding Climate and Weather Concepts

What does climate refer to?

• Day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere

• Average weather conditions over a long period

• Sudden changes in temperature

• Amount of rainfall in one storm

Weather is best defined as:

• Average temperature over decades

• Daily state of the atmosphere at a particular location

• Permanent atmospheric conditions

• Long-term rainfall patterns

The term anthropogenic means:

• Caused by animals

• Natural events

• Human-caused

• Volcanic activity

Precipitation means:

• Any form of water falling from the sky

• Evaporation of water into the atmosphere

• Condensation of water on surfaces

• Absorption of water by plants

The hydrological cycle is:

• The process of ice formation in polar regions

• Movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation

• Human management of water resources

• The cycle of water absorption by soil

Latitude measures:

• Distance north or south of the equator

• Distance east or west of the prime meridian

• Elevation above sea level

• Temperature variation throughout the day

A temperature anomaly is:

• The average temperature of an area

• Difference between actual temperature and the long-term average

• Highest recorded temperature

• Lowest seasonal temperature

Trade winds are best described as:

• Strong winds blowing towards the poles

• Consistent winds blowing toward the equator from subtropical areas

• Unpredictable winds causing storms

• Winds blowing eastward at high altitudes

Jet streams are:

• Slow-moving winds close to the ground

• Narrow, fast-moving air currents high in the atmosphere

• Gentle winds blowing from oceans to land

• Vertical winds causing thunderstorms

Albedo measures:

• The temperature of a surface

• Ability of a surface to reflect sunlight

• Amount of rainfall on land

• Atmospheric pressure at sea level