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Chapter 14
Vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| climate | The long-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region. |
| rain shadow | An area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain. |
| specific heat | The amount of thermal energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of material by 1*C. |
| microclimate | A localized climate that is different from the climate of the larger area surrounding it. |
| ice age | Cold periods lasting millions of years when glaciers cover much of Eath. |
| interglacial | The warm periods that occur during ice ages. |
| el nino/southern oscillation | The combined ocean and atmospheric cycle that results in weakened trade winds across the Pacific Ocean. |
| monsoon | A wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the seasons. |
| drought | A period with below-average precipitation. |
| global warming | The rise in Earth's average surface temperature during past 100 years in often. |
| greenhouse gas | Gases in the atmosphere that adsorb Earth's outgoing infrared radiation. |
| deforestation | The large-scale cutting and/or burning forests. |
| global climate model | A set of complex equations used to predict future climates. |