1. Chapter 3 Climate & Vegetation

11. Seasons Earth is titled at a 23.5 degree angle in relation to the sun. Earth is titled at a 23.5 degree angle in relation to the sun. Earth’s tilt and revolution cause the sun to stay on certain parts of the earth for more hours at certain times of the year. Earth’s tilt and revolution cause the sun to stay on certain parts of the earth for more hours at certain times of the year.

12. Tropic of Cancer- Line of latitude that marks the farthest point north that the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon. Tropic of Cancer- Line of latitude that marks the farthest point north that the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon. Tropic of Capricorn- Line of latitude that marks the farthest point south that the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon. Tropic of Capricorn- Line of latitude that marks the farthest point south that the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon.

13. Solstice- either of two times of year when the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at the furthest points north or south, marking the beginning of summer and winter. (Summer- June 21 st or 22 nd & Winter- December 22 nd or 23 rd ) Solstice- either of two times of year when the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at the furthest points north or south, marking the beginning of summer and winter. (Summer- June 21 st or 22 nd & Winter- December 22 nd or 23 rd )

14. Equinox- each of the two days in a year on which day and night are equal in length, marking the beginning of spring and autumn. (Spring- March 21 st & Autumn- September 23 rd ) Equinox- each of the two days in a year on which day and night are equal in length, marking the beginning of spring and autumn. (Spring- March 21 st & Autumn- September 23 rd )

15. Weather & Climate Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time. Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time. Climate is the term for weather conditions at a particular location over a long period of time. Climate is the term for weather conditions at a particular location over a long period of time.

16. Precipitation Depends on the amount of water vapor in the air and the movement of that air. Depends on the amount of water vapor in the air and the movement of that air. Types- Rain, sleet, snow & hail. Types- Rain, sleet, snow & hail.

17. Weather Extremes Hurricanes- also known as typhoons in Asia, are storms that form over warm, tropical ocean waters. Hurricanes- also known as typhoons in Asia, are storms that form over warm, tropical ocean waters. Other names throughout the world- tropical cyclones, willy-willies (Australia) baguios (Philippines), and chubascos (Mexico).

21. Category/Wind Speed 1 74-95 mph 2 96-110 mph 3 111-130 mph 4 131-155 mph 5 156+ mph Category/Wind Speed 1 74-95 mph 2 96-110 mph 3 111-130 mph 4 131-155 mph 5 156+ mph

22. Tornadoes Tornado- powerful funnel-shaped column of spiraling air. (Twisters) Tornado- powerful funnel-shaped column of spiraling air. (Twisters) Unlike hurricanes, tornadoes can form quickly. Unlike hurricanes, tornadoes can form quickly.

25. Tornado Scale Category Wind Speeds(MPH) Damage F-040-72 Chimney damage, tree branches broken F-173-112 Mobile homes overturned F-2113-157 Mobile home demolished F-3158-206 Cars thrown

26. F-4207-260 Well-constructed walls leveled F-5261-318 Homes lifted off of foundations/ cars thrown 100 yards

27. Blizzard Heavy snowstorm with winds of more than 35 miles per hour making it very difficult to see. Heavy snowstorm with winds of more than 35 miles per hour making it very difficult to see. 1921 Silver Lake, Colorado- 76 inches of snow fell in 24 hours. 1959 Mt. Shasta, California- 6 day snow storm dumped nearly 16 feet of snow.

29. Drought Drought- Long period of time without any rain or very little precipitation. Drought- Long period of time without any rain or very little precipitation. Droughts can cause extreme crop failure and reduced levels in water storage facilities. Droughts can cause extreme crop failure and reduced levels in water storage facilities.

31. Floods Flood- a time when water spreads over land not normally covered with water. Flood- a time when water spreads over land not normally covered with water. 1993- A flood in Mississippi and Missouri caused $15 million dollars in damage and claimed the lives of 50 people. Over 150 rivers and tributaries were involved. 1993- A flood in Mississippi and Missouri caused $15 million dollars in damage and claimed the lives of 50 people. Over 150 rivers and tributaries were involved.

33. Convection is the transfer of heat in the atmosphere by upward motion of the air. Convection is the transfer of heat in the atmosphere by upward motion of the air.

34. El Nino- a weather pattern created by the warming of the waters off the west coast of South America, which pushes warm water and heavy rains toward the Americas and produces drought conditions in Australia and Asia. El Nino- a weather pattern created by the warming of the waters off the west coast of South America, which pushes warm water and heavy rains toward the Americas and produces drought conditions in Australia and Asia. La Nina is the complete opposite. La Nina is the complete opposite.

35. Ecosystem An independent community of plants and animals. The ecosystem of a region is referred to as a biome. (Examples- forest, grassland, desert & tundra).

36. Chapter 3 Section 3 Climate Regions

38. Tropical Wet

39. Tropical Wet & Dry

40. Desert

41. Semiarid

42. Mediterranean

43. Humid Subtropical

44. Marine West Coast

45. Humid Continental

46. Subartic

47. Tundra

48. Ice Cap

49. Highlands