Climate and Climate Change, Weather Patterns

The average, long-term conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area.

Climate conditions within a small area that differ from those in the surrounding area.

The area near the equator, between about 23.5⁰ north latitude and 23.5⁰ south latitude.

The areas near both poles, from about 66.5⁰ to 90⁰ north and 66.5⁰ to 90⁰ south latitudes.

The areas between the tropical and the polar zones, between about 23.5⁰ to 66.5⁰ north and 23.5⁰ to 66.5⁰ south latitude.

The climate of some coastal regions, with relatively warm winters and cool summers.

The climate of the centers of continents, with cold winters and warm or hot summers.

The side of a mountain range that faces the oncoming wind.

The side of a mountain range that faces away from the oncoming wind.

A climate event that occurs every two to seven years in the Pacific Ocean, during which winds shift and push warm water toward South America. (white = warm, magenta = cold)

Time in the past when continental glaciers covered large parts of Earth's surface.

a gradual increase in the temperature of Earth's atmosphere

Gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, that trap solar energy.

A large area of reduced ozone concentration in the stratosphere, found over Antarctica.

Chlorine compounds that are the main cause of ozone depletion.