1. Unit 4 Lessons 4 - 7
Vocabulary

2. a gradual increase in average global temperatures
global warming

3. the size and shape of the land features of a region, including relief
topography

4. the distance north or south of the Equator; expressed in degrees
latitude

5. a pattern of meteorological symbols that represents the weather at a particular observing station and that is recorded on a weather map
station model

6. the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases absorb and reradiate solar energy
greenhouse effect

7. a destructive rotating column of air that has very high wind speed, and that may be visible as a funnel shaped cloud
tornado

8. a usually brief, heavy storm that consists of rain, strong winds, thunder, and lightning
thunderstorm

9. a horizontal movement of ocean water that is caused by wind that occurs at or near the ocean’s surface
surface current

10. the weather conditions inan area over a long period of time
climate

11. a local rise in sea level near the shore that is caused by strong winds from a storm, such as those from a hurricane
storm surge

12. the scientific study of Earth’s atmosphere, especially in relation to weather and climate
meteorology

13. the short term state of the atmosphere including temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and visibility
weather

14. a severe storm that develops over tropical oceans and whose strong winds of more that 119 km/h spiral in toward the intensely low-pressure center
hurricane

15. the height of an object above sea level
altitude

16. the sound caused by the rapid expansion of air along a lightning strike
thunder

17. a long period of climatic cooling during which the continents are glaciated repeatedly
ice age

18. the process of predicting atmospheric conditions by collecting and analyzing atmospheric data
weather forecasting

19. an electric discharge that takes place between two oppositely charged surfaces such as between a cloud and the ground
lightning