Climate and Oceans Vocabulary
Climate and Oceans Vocabulary

Weather- the current condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time

Weather- the current condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time

Climate- the average weather (temperature, precipitation, clouds, etc.) of a

Climate- the average weather (temperature, precipitation, clouds, etc.) of a
certain location
certain location

Prevailing Winds- winds that blow steadily from a specific direction
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Prevailing Winds- winds that blow steadily from a specific direction

Windward- the side of a mountain that faces the prevailing winds
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Windward- the side of a mountain that faces the prevailing winds

Leeward- the side of a mountain that faces away from the prevailing winds

Leeward- the side of a mountain that faces away from the prevailing winds

Monsoons-sea and land breezes over a large region that change direction with

Monsoons-sea and land breezes over a large region that change direction with
the seasons.

Rainshadow Effect- The event of the windward side receiving more
the seasons.

precipitation than the leeward side of a mountain

Climate Graph- a graph that shows a location’s average monthly precipitation
Rainshadow Effect- The event of the windward side receiving more
precipitation than the leeward side of a mountain

and temperatures
Climate Graph- a graph that shows a location’s average monthly precipitation
and temperatures

Gulf Stream- a warm-water current that flows near the southeastern U.S.

Gulf Stream- a warm-water current that flows near the southeastern U.S.

California Current- a cold-water current that flows off the coast of California

California Current- a cold-water current that flows off the coast of California

Climatologist- a scientist who studies climate

Climatologist- a scientist who studies climate

salinity- the amount of dissolved solids in a given amount of liquid

salinity- the amount of dissolved solids in a given amount of liquid

salt- sodium chloride (table salt)

salt- sodium chloride (table salt)

weathering- the breakdown of rock through natural forces

weathering- the breakdown of rock through natural forces

erosion- the transport of sediment by natural forces

erosion- the transport of sediment by natural forces

Ocean Current- a regular movement of ocean water
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Ocean Current- a regular movement of ocean water

surface current- horizontal movement of ocean water that occurs near the

surface current- horizontal movement of ocean water that occurs near the
surface
surface

Coriolis Effect- the curving of air or water currents due to Earth’s rotation

Coriolis Effect- the curving of air or water currents due to Earth’s rotation

gyre- any circular pattern of air or water currents

gyre- any circular pattern of air or water currents

eddy- a current that flows opposite the regular pattern

eddy- a current that flows opposite the regular pattern

clockwise- the direction the hands of a clock move

clockwise- the direction the hands of a clock move

counterclockwise- opposite the direction the hands of a clock move

counterclockwise- opposite the direction the hands of a clock move

deep current- horizontal movement of ocean water near the ocean floor

deep current- horizontal movement of ocean water near the ocean floor