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Weather: combination of temperature, precipitation, cloud cover and winds
experienced daily
Climate: temperature, precipitation, and conditions of a place averaged over a
long period of time
Average Annual Temperature: monthly average temperature added together
and divided by 12
Continental Climate: climate type that develops away from the influence of the
ocean with a large annual temperature range and low precipitation
Temperature Range: subtraction of coldest average monthly temperature from
warmest average monthly temperature
Maritime Climate: climate type that is strongly influenced by the closeness of an
ocean or large water body and has a small annual temperature range and lots
of precipitation
Jet Stream: west to east movement of air in the mid-latitude flowing at speeds of
400 km/h at an altitude between 8,000-15,000 m
Relief Precipitation: precipitation created when an air mass rises to cross a
mountain barrier. Also called orographic precipitation.
Convectional Precipitation: precipitation caused on hot summer days when
heated land causes the air above it to rise. As the air rises, it cools and creates
condensation.
Cyclonic Precipitation: precipitation caused when a warm, moist air mass is
forced to rise by a cool, dry air mass. Also called frontal precipitation.
Front: leading edge of an air mass
Leeward: side of a mountain range that faces away from the prevailing wind
Warm Front: boundary between a cold air mass and an advancing warm air
mass
Cold Front: boundary between a warm air mass and an advancing cold air
mass
Rain Shadow: area on the side of a mountain range with very little precipitation
occurs because evaporation is greater than condensation
Windward: the side of a mountain range that faces the prevailing wind