Weather, Climate and the Ocean

Science

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. A storm surge is a temporary and rapid increase in sea level due to strong winds and low pressure from a storm pushing water onto the shore.

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, rotating storm system formed over warm ocean waters.

A mature tropical cyclone that develops in the Northern Hemisphere

Typhoon

A mature tropical cyclone that develops in the Northern Hemisphere. Typhoon. A typhoon is a powerful storm system with strong winds and heavy rain that forms over warm ocean waters.

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 low-pressure system, often bringing rain and strong winds.

A branch of the atmospheric sciences, with a focus on weather forecasting

Meteorology

A branch of the atmospheric sciences, with a focus on weather forecasting, meteorology. Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere to understand and predict weather conditions.

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 uniform temperature and humidity.

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. Climate is the usual pattern of weather in a place over many years.

The height above sea level

Altitude

The height above sea level. Altitude. Altitude is how high something is above the Earth's surface.

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, causing weather changes like rain or storms.

The weight of the air pressing down on a surface

Air pressure

The weight of the air pressing down on a surface. air pressure. Air pressure is the force exerted by the weight of air molecules on everything around us.

The condition of a system in which all competing influences are balanced

Equilibrium

The condition of a system in which all competing influences are balanced. Equilibrium. In science, equilibrium is when things are stable and balanced, like when forces are equal and everything is steady.

Air movement caused by pressure differences

Wind

Air movement caused by pressure differences. Wind. Wind is the movement of air from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.

The movement of a chemical through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Biogeochemical cycle

The movement of a chemical through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. Biogeochemical cycle. It's how natural elements like carbon and nitrogen travel through the earth, water, air, and living things.

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 flowing air currents in the atmosphere that influence weather patterns.

A flying technique used to gain energy by crossing the boundary between air masses of different velocity

Dynamic soaring

A flying technique used to gain energy by crossing the boundary between air masses of different velocity. Dynamic soaring. It is a method birds and airplanes use to fly faster and longer without using extra energy by moving between layers of air that have different speeds.