6th Grade Weather and Climate Overview

Describes the average atmospheric conditions expected at a specific place at a given time. A region's climate is generated by the climate system, which has five components: atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, land surface, and biosphere.

Describes the atmospheric conditions at a specific place at a specific point in time. This generally refers to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity.

The long-term pattern of temperature and precipitation in a particular location.

The state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover.

The layer of gases that surround the Earth.

All of the Earth's water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

All of the frozen water on Earth, including glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice.

The Earth's surface, including land, mountains, and soil.

Coastal regions are generally cooler and wetter than inland areas due to the moderating influence of the ocean. The ocean's water helps regulate temperature and provides a source of moisture.

Ocean currents, which are continuous movements of ocean water, significantly influence regional climates. They transport heat from warmer areas to cooler areas, influencing temperature patterns.

The direction of prevailing winds plays a crucial role in shaping climate. Winds carry moisture and influence temperature distribution, leading to different precipitation patterns.

The shape of the land, known as topography or relief, influences climate by affecting air circulation and precipitation patterns. Mountains can block moisture-laden winds, creating rain shadows on one side and dry climates on the other.

The distance from the equator significantly determines a region's climate. The equator receives direct sunlight year-round, leading to a more consistent and warm climate. As you move away from the equator, the angle of sunlight changes leading to variations in temperature and seasons.

The El Niño phenomenon, a climate pattern characterized by warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, affects weather and climate globally. It can alter rainfall patterns, leading to droughts or flooding in different regions.

A large body of air that has uniform temperature, pressure, and humidity.

The boundary between two colliding air masses with different temperatures and humidities.

The amount of moisture in the air, measured as water vapor.

The amount of water vapor in the air compared to the maximum amount it could hold at that temperature.

Air masses form when air stays over a region for a long time, taking on its characteristics.

Warm air is less dense and rises above cold air.

Air masses with different densities don't mix easily, creating a distinct boundary.

Warm, less dense air moves over cold, denser air, creating a boundary.

Winds that blow from the sea often bring rain to the coast and dry weather to inland areas. Winds that blow to Britain from warm inland areas such as Africa will be warm and dry. Winds that blow to Britain from inland areas such as central Europe will be cold and dry in winter. Britain's prevailing (i.e.most frequently experienced) winds come from a south westerly direction over the Atlantic. These winds are cool in the summer, mild in the winter and tend to bring wet weather.

Mountains receive more rainfall than low lying areas because as air is forced over the higher ground it cools, causing moist air to condense and fall out as rainfall. The higher the place is above sea level the colder it will be because as altitude increases, air becomes thinner and is less able to absorb and retain heat. That is why you may see snow on the top of mountains all year round.

The distance from the equator affects the climate of a place. At the poles, energy from the sun reaches the Earth's surface at lower angles and passes through a thicker layer of atmosphere than at the equator. This means the climate is cooler further from the Equator. The poles also experience the greatest difference between summer and winter day lengths: in the summer there is a period when the sun does not set at the poles; conversely the poles also experience a period of total darkness during winter. In contrast, daylength varies little at the equator.

El Niño refers to the irregular warming of surface water in the Pacific. The warmer water pumps energy and moisture into the atmosphere, altering global wind and rainfall patterns. The phenomenon has caused tornadoes in Florida, smog in Indonesia, and forest fires in Brazil.

Climate zones are divisions of the Earth's climates into general climate zones according to average temperatures and average rainfall. The three major climate zones on the Earth are the polar, temperate, and tropical zones.

Temperatures in the three major climate zones (polar, temperate, and tropical) are determined mainly by the location, or latitude, of the zone.

Air masses are categorized by their source region and characteristics, such as temperature and humidity.

Occurs when a cold air mass pushes a warm air mass upwards, leading to rapid temperature drops and often bringing thunderstorms and strong winds.

Happens when a warm air mass slides over a cold air mass, resulting in a more gradual temperature increase and typically brings steady rain or snow.

Forms when a cold front catches up with a warm front, lifting the warm air further off the ground and often producing more intense precipitation.

This type of front occurs when there is little movement between two air masses and can cause persistent rain or fog.

The process of water transforming from a liquid to a gas, rising into the atmosphere and forming clouds.

The process of water droplets within clouds becoming heavy and falling back to Earth as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.

The difference in temperature between the equator and the poles causes winds to blow from the poles towards the equator. Warm, less dense air rises at the equator and cold, dense air sinks at the poles, creating a cycle of air movement.

The Earth's rotation causes winds to curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

A weather forecast is a prediction of weather conditions for the next 3-5 days.

A meteorologist is a person who studies weather patterns and makes weather predictions.

Clouds are formed by water droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Clouds are classified based on their height and appearance.

Clouds are formed when water vapor in the air condenses into liquid water or ice crystals.

Moisture in the air condenses to create liquid water or ice crystals