Chapter 17 Science Vocabulary

the short-term state of the atmosphere, including temperature, humidlity, precipitation, wind and visibility

the average weather condition in an area over a long period of time

the distance north or south from the equator; expressed in degrees

winds that blow mainly from one direction during a given period

the height of an object above sea level

a horizontal movement of ocean water that is caused by wind and that occurs at or near the ocean's surface

a large region characterized by a specific type of climate and certain types of plant and animal communities

the region that surrounds the equator and that extends from about 23.5 degrees north latitude to 23.5 south latitude

the climate zone between the Tropics and the polar zone

the North or South Pole and its surrounding area

the climate of small area

a long period of climate cooling during which ice sheets cover large areas of
Earth's surface; also known as a glacial period

a gradual increase in the average global temperature

the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases in the air absorb and trap thermal energy