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Weather and Climate
English
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Model | A representation used to describe, explain, or predict the behavior of a system, in this case, the flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems and how it affects climate. |
| Flow of Energy | The movement of energy into and out of Earth's systems, which includes solar radiation, geothermal energy, and heat exchange between Earth's surface and atmosphere, all influencing climate. |
| Earth’s Systems | The interconnected components of Earth, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, which interact to regulate the flow of energy and determine climate patterns. |
| Climate | The long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation in an area, influenced by the flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems. |
| Volcanic Eruptions | The release of magma, ash, and gases from a volcano, which can temporarily alter Earth's energy balance by reflecting sunlight away from the surface and cooling the climate over short timescales (1-10 years). |
| Ocean Circulation | The large-scale movement of ocean waters, driven by wind, water density differences, and Earth's rotation, which distributes heat across the planet and influences climate over various timescales. |
| Anthropogenic | Actions by humans, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, that increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, altering Earth's energy balance and contributing to climate change over decades to centuries. |
| Solar Output | The amount of energy emitted by the Sun, which can vary over time and affect the amount of energy entering Earth's systems, influencing climate on timescales of decades to centuries. |
| Earth’s Orbit | The path Earth follows around the Sun, which can change due to gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies, affecting the distribution of solar energy and climate over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. |
| Axis Orientation | The tilt and wobble of Earth's rotational axis, which change over long periods and influence the distribution of sunlight, contributing to climate variations over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. |
| Atmospheric Composition | The mix of gases in Earth's atmosphere, including greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, which trap heat and influence climate over millions of years. |
| Plate Tectonic Movement | The shifting of Earth's lithospheric plates, which can alter the position of continents and oceans, affecting ocean circulation, atmospheric patterns, and climate over millions of years. |
| Surface Temperatures | The temperature of Earth's surface, which is influenced by the flow of energy and is a key indicator of climate change. |
| Precipitation Patterns | The distribution and frequency of rainfall, snowfall, and other forms of precipitation, which are influenced by changes in energy flow and are affected by climate change. |
| Glacial Ice Volumes | The amount of ice contained in glaciers and ice sheets, which is sensitive to changes in climate and influences sea levels and global climate patterns. |
| Sea Levels | The average height of the ocean's surface, which can rise or fall due to changes in climate, particularly from melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater. |
| Biosphere Distribution | The spread of living organisms across Earth's surface, which can shift due to climate change, affecting ecosystems and species survival. |
| Geoscience Data | Information gathered from observations and measurements of Earth's systems, including climate, weather patterns, and environmental conditions, used to analyze and understand climate change. |
| Global Climate Models | Computational tools used to simulate and predict climate behavior by incorporating various physical, chemical, and biological processes that influence Earth's climate system. |
| Evidence-Based Forecast | Predictions made using data and models to assess future changes and impacts, grounded in scientific evidence and analysis. |
| Current Rate of Global Climate Change | The speed at which global climate parameters, such as temperature and precipitation patterns, are changing over time, as determined from recent data and model projections. |
| Regional Climate Change | Variations in climate changes that occur in specific areas or regions, which can differ from global trends and have localized impacts. |
| Precipitation | Any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, and its changes are crucial for understanding climate trends. |
| Sea Level | The average level of the ocean's surface, which can rise or fall due to factors such as melting ice and thermal expansion, affecting coastal areas and ecosystems. |
| Glacial Ice Volumes | The amount of ice stored in glaciers and ice sheets, which is sensitive to climate changes and impacts sea levels and global climate patterns. |
| Forecast | A prediction or estimation of future conditions based on current data and models, used to assess potential changes and impacts on Earth's systems. |
| Atmosphere Composition | The concentration of gases in Earth's atmosphere, including greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, which influence global temperatures and climate. |
| Air Masses | Large volumes of air with uniform temperature and humidity characteristics, which move across regions and influence local weather conditions. |
| Movement and Interactions of Air Masses | The process by which air masses travel and interact with each other, affecting weather patterns and conditions based on their temperature, humidity, and pressure differences. |
| Station Models | Symbols and notations used on weather maps to represent various weather conditions at specific locations, including temperature, dew point, wind direction, and atmospheric pressure. |
| Satellite Images | Pictures of Earth's atmosphere and surface taken from satellites, used to observe and track weather systems, cloud cover, and changes in weather conditions over time. |
| Radar | Technology that uses radio waves to detect precipitation, its motion, and intensity, providing information on storm systems and weather patterns. |
| Forecast Models | Computational tools and simulations that predict future weather conditions based on current data and atmospheric dynamics. |
| Uneven Heating of Earth’s Surface | The variation in temperature and energy received by different parts of Earth’s surface due to factors like latitude, land and sea distribution, and seasonal changes, which drives the movement of air masses. |
| Prevailing Global Winds | Major wind patterns caused by the rotation of Earth and the uneven heating of its surface, which influence the direction and movement of air masses. |
| Circulation Patterns | Large-scale atmospheric patterns, such as the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells, that drive the movement of air masses and influence global and regional weather systems. |
| Frontal Boundaries | The zones where different air masses meet, leading to weather phenomena such as precipitation, cloud formation, and changes in temperature and pressure. |
| Weather Phenomena | Observable events related to weather conditions, such as storms, rain, snow, and temperature changes, resulting from the interactions of air masses and frontal boundaries. |
| High Pressure Systems | Areas where the atmospheric pressure is higher than surrounding regions, typically associated with clear, calm weather. |
| Low Pressure Systems | Areas where the atmospheric pressure is lower than surrounding regions, often leading to cloud formation, precipitation, and stormy weather. |
Created by:
Ms. Torres
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