Climate vs. Weather Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

Define climate.

Describes the long-term conditions of a location.

Define weather.

Describes the short-term (day-to-day) conditions of a region.

How does weather change?

Weather changes minute-to-minute or hour-to-hour.

How does climate change?

<p>Climate predictably changes season to season and over long periods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does climate change?

<p>Climate can change because conditions of the atmosphere change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between climate and weather?

<p>The main difference is time; climate describes long-term conditions while weather describes short-term conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some similarities between weather and climate?

<p>Both describe conditions of a region, including temperature, precipitation, wind, and sunlight.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define latitude.

<p>Latitude is a measure of distance north and south on Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is latitude measured?

<p>Latitude is measured in degrees and can range from 0° to 90°.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define equator.

<p>The imaginary line that runs around the middle of Earth is called the equator, which is 0°.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are lines above the equator measured?

<p>Lines above the equator are measured in degrees North, increasing from the equator to the North Pole.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are lines below the equator measured?

<p>Lines below the equator are measured in degrees South, increasing from the equator to the South Pole.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Tropic of Cancer?

<p>Latitude of 23.5°N.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Tropic of Capricorn?

<p>Latitude of 23.5°S.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Arctic Circle?

<p>Latitude of 66.5°N.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Antarctic Circle?

<p>Latitude of 66.5°S.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does climate vary with latitude?

<p>Climate varies with latitude because of how the sun shines on Earth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it warmer near the Tropics?

<p>The sun shines directly between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it colder near the poles (Arctic/Antarctic)?

<p>The sun shines indirectly above the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three major climate types that exist on Earth?

<p>Tropical, Temperate, and Polar/Arctic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are Tropical climates located?

<p>Tropical climates exist at low latitudes, between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe a Tropical climate.

<p>It is always hot with direct sunlight all year, usually having two seasons: a wet winter and a dry summer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are Temperate climates located?

<p>Temperate climates exist at mid latitudes, between 23.5°N and 66.5°N and 23.5°S and 66.5°S.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe a Temperate climate.

<p>Temperate climates are fairly hot and/or cold, having four seasons with changing temperature and precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are Polar/Arctic climates located?

<p>Polar or Arctic climates exist at high latitudes, above the Arctic Circle and Antarctic Circle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe a Polar/Arctic climate.

<p>Polar climates are always cold with very little solar radiation and precipitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Climate vs. Weather

  • Climate refers to long-term atmospheric conditions in a specific location.
  • Weather concerns short-term atmospheric conditions, varying from day to day.
  • Weather can change rapidly, shifting from sunny to rainy within hours.
  • Climate changes gradually with seasons and over extended periods.

Differences between Climate and Weather

  • Time is the primary distinction: climate is long-term, while weather is short-term.
  • Both climate and weather describe a region's temperature, precipitation, wind, and sunlight.

Latitude

  • Latitude measures distance north or south from the equator, ranging from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles.
  • Lines above the equator are designated in degrees North; the North Pole is at 90°N.
  • Lines below the equator are designated in degrees South; the South Pole is at 90°S.

Key Latitudinal Lines

  • The Equator is an imaginary line at 0° latitude.
  • The Tropic of Cancer is located at 23.5°N.
  • The Tropic of Capricorn is located at 23.5°S.
  • The Arctic Circle is positioned at 66.5°N.
  • The Antarctic Circle is situated at 66.5°S.

Climate Variation with Latitude

  • Climate differs with latitude due to sunlight angles; equatorial regions receive direct sunlight, leading to warmer temperatures.
  • Near the Tropics, the sun shines directly overhead, ensuring warmer climates year-round.
  • Polar regions receive sunlight at an indirect angle, resulting in colder temperatures.

Major Climate Types on Earth

  • Three primary climate types: Tropical, Temperate, and Polar/Arctic.

Tropical Climate

  • Found at low latitudes between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
  • Characterized by consistently high temperatures due to direct sunlight year-round.
  • Typically features two seasons: a wet winter and a dry summer, with significant precipitation changes.

Temperate Climate

  • Located at mid-latitudes, between 23.5°N and 66.5°N, and 23.5°S and 66.5°S.
  • Transitional climate between tropical and polar zones, experiencing four distinct seasons.
  • Temperature and precipitation vary throughout the year.

Polar/Arctic Climate

  • Situated at high latitudes, above the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.
  • Constantly cold temperatures, with minimal warming.
  • These regions receive very little solar radiation and precipitation.

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Description

Explore the fundamental differences between climate and weather with these flashcards. Learn definitions, how each varies over time, and their characteristics. Ideal for students studying Earth Science or related topics.

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