Weather

Science

The boundary between two air masses of different temperatures

Air front

The boundary between two air masses of different temperatures. Air front. An air front is where warm and cold air meet, often causing changes in weather.

A huge body of air with similar temperature and moisture throughout

Air mass

A huge body of air with similar temperature and moisture throughout. Air mass. An air mass is a large region of the atmosphere where the air has similar temperature and humidity.

An instrument that measures wind speed

Anemometer

An instrument that measures wind speed. anemometer. An anemometer is a tool used to measure how fast the wind is blowing.

Winds circulating against the rotation of the Earth, they have a high-pressure center

Anticyclone

Winds circulating against the rotation of the Earth, they have a high-pressure center. Anticyclone. An anticyclone is a weather system where winds spiral outward from a high-pressure area, often bringing clear skies.

An instrument that measures air pressure

Barometer

An instrument that measures air pressure. Barometer. A barometer is a tool used in science to measure the pressure of the air, helping predict weather changes.

A chemical that causes ozone depletion, it is also known as CFC

Chlorofluorocarbon

A chemical that causes ozone depletion, it is also known as CFC. Chlorofluorocarbon. Chlorofluorocarbon is a man-made compound used in products like aerosols and refrigerants that can damage the Earth's ozone layer.

The average weather conditions of an area, over a long period of time

Climate

The average weather conditions of an area, over a long period of time, is called climate. Climate is how weather typically behaves in a region over many years.

The process of a gas changing into a liquid

Condensation

The process of a gas changing into a liquid is called condensation. Condensation is when water vapor in the air cools down and turns back into liquid water.

The climate at the center of a continent, with hot summers and cold winters

Continental climate

The climate at the center of a continent, with hot summers and cold winters. Continental climate. Continental climate involves large temperature variations between seasons because land heats and cools quickly.

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and current

Coriolis effect

The effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and current. Coriolis effect. The Coriolis effect causes moving air and water to turn and swirl due to Earth's rotation.

A storm of swirling air with a low-pressure center

Cyclone

A storm of swirling air with a low-pressure center. Cyclone. A cyclone is a large-scale air mass that rotates around a strong center of low atmospheric pressure, bringing rain and winds.

The temperature of air at which condensation begins

Dew point

The temperature of air at which condensation begins. Dew point. The dew point is the temperature at which air becomes fully saturated with moisture, causing water vapor to condense into liquid droplets.

A long period of unusually low precipitation

Drought

A long period of unusually low precipitation. Drought. Drought is when an area gets much less rain than usual, causing water shortages.

A worldwide climate change, caused by an increase in the Pacific Ocean’s temperature

El Nino

A worldwide climate change, caused by an increase in the Pacific Oceans temperature. El Nino. El Nino is a natural weather pattern where the Pacific Ocean warms near the equator, affecting global weather.

The top of liquid changing into a gas

Evaporation

The top of liquid changing into a gas. Evaporation. Evaporation is the process where liquid turns into vapor and enters the air.

A wind that blows steadily in a specific direction over long distances

Global wind

A wind that blows steadily in a specific direction over long distances. Global wind. Global winds are large-scale wind patterns that move across the Earth, influencing weather and climate.

The warming of the Earth when the atmosphere traps heat like a blanket

Greenhouse effect

The warming of the Earth when the atmosphere traps heat like a blanket. Greenhouse effect. It is when gases in the Earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm.

The amount of water vapor in the air

Humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air. Humidity. Humidity is the measure of how much moisture or water vapor is present in the air.

A large tropical storm with winds of more than 74 mph

Hurricane

A large tropical storm with winds of more than 74 mph. Hurricane. A hurricane is a powerful storm system that forms over warm ocean waters and brings strong winds and heavy rain.

A long period during which ice sheets cover large parts of Earth

Ice age

A long period during which ice sheets cover large parts of Earth. Ice age. An ice age is a time when global temperatures cool and large areas are covered by ice sheets.

A line on a weather map connecting points with the same air pressure

Isobar

A line on a weather map connecting points with the same air pressure isobar. An isobar is a line on a map that shows where the air pressure is the same at different locations.

A line on a weather map connecting points with the same temperature

Isotherm

A line on a weather map connecting points with the same temperature. Isotherm. In science, an isotherm is a line on a map that shows areas having the same temperature at a given time.

A band of high-speed wind between the troposphere and the stratosphere

Jet stream

A band of high-speed wind between the troposphere and the stratosphere. Jet stream. Jet streams are fast-moving air currents that flow high above the Earth and influence weather patterns.

A worldwide climate change, caused by a decrease in the Pacific Ocean’s temperature

La Nina

A worldwide climate change, caused by a decrease in the Pacific Oceans temperature. La Nina. La Nina is a natural climate pattern that results in cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather.

The distance in degrees north or south of the equator

Latitude

The distance in degrees north or south of the equator latitude. Latitude measures how far a place is from the equator, affecting its climate and weather.

An electric discharge caused when charges jump within a cloud, between two clouds, or between a cloud and the ground

Lightning

An electric discharge caused when charges jump within a cloud, between two clouds, or between a cloud and the ground. Lightning is a sudden flash of light in the sky caused by electricity moving in the atmosphere.

A climate influenced by an ocean, with warm winters and cool summers

Marine climate

A climate influenced by an ocean, with warm winters and cool summers. Marine climate. A marine climate is where the ocean keeps temperatures mild and steady throughout the year.

A scientist who studies weather

Meteorologist

A scientist who studies weather meteorologist. A meteorologist is a scientist who analyzes and forecasts the weather.

The climate within a small area that differs from the surrounding climate

Microclimate

The climate within a small area that differs from the surrounding climate. Microclimate is a localized climate that can vary significantly from the larger area around it due to specific conditions like terrain, vegetation, or water bodies.

A wind that changes direction with the seasons

Monsoon

A wind that changes direction with the seasons. Monsoon. It is a seasonal weather pattern characterized by heavy rainfall and a shift in wind direction.

The region 66° North and South of the poles that is never warm

Polar zone

The region 66 North and South of the poles that is never warm. Polar zone. The polar zone is the icy, cold area around the North and South Poles where the sun's rays are weak, leading to low temperatures.

Water that falls to Earth in any form, like rain, snow, sleet, or hail

Precipitation

Water that falls to Earth in any form, like rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Precipitation is when water in the atmosphere falls to the ground.

A measure of the amount of water vapor in the air, compared to the maximum possible at that temperature

Relative humidity

A measure of the amount of water vapor in the air, compared to the maximum possible at that temperature. Relative humidity. It tells us how full the air is with water vapor compared to how much it could hold at that temperature.

A period of unique climate caused by the tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun

Season

A period of unique climate caused by the tilt of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun. Season. Seasons are the four divisions of the year marked by changes in weather and daylight, resulting from the Earth's tilt and orbit around the Sun.

A large rise in water levels caused by hurricane waves and winds

Storm surge

A large rise in water levels caused by hurricane waves and winds. Storm surge. Storm surge is when strong winds from a storm push ocean water onto land, causing flooding.

Zone of moderate climate between the tropical and polar zones

Temperate zone

Zone of moderate climate between the tropical and polar zones. Temperate zone. The temperate zone is a region on Earth where the climate is mild and experiences four distinct seasons.

An instrument that measures temperature

Thermometer

An instrument that measures temperature is a thermometer. A thermometer is a tool used to check how hot or cold something is.

A storm with lightning and thunder

Thunderstorm

A storm with lightning and thunder. Thunderstorm. A thunderstorm is a weather condition where rain, lightning, and thunder occur due to rapid upward movement of warm, moist air.

A spinning funnel-shaped column of wind

Tornado

A spinning funnel-shaped column of wind. Tornado. A tornado is a powerful, rotating storm that forms when warm, moist air meets cold, dry air, creating a dangerous vortex.

The zone of warm climate that extends 23º north and south of the equator

Tropical zone

The zone of warm climate that extends 23 north and south of the equator. Tropical zone. The tropical zone is a warm region around the equator with consistent weather, where temperatures are generally hot year-round.

The constant movement of water through Earth and its atmosphere, by evaporation, condensation and precipitation

Water cycle

The constant movement of water through Earth and its atmosphere, by evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Water cycle. The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back.

The atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, like raining and cold

Weather

The atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, like raining and cold. Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation, at a particular time and place.

A measure of cooling, combining temperature and wind speed

Wind chill factor

A measure of cooling, combining temperature and wind speed. Wind chill factor. It describes how cold it feels on your skin when the wind is blowing.