Atmosphere - The mixture of gases surrounding the Earth.
Climate - The long-term prevalent weather conditions of an area determined by meteorological conditions including latitude, temperature, precipitation, and wind in a particular region.
Coriolis Effect - The observed effect of the Coriolis force, especially the deflection of an object moving above the earth, rightward in the northern hemisphere and leftward in the southern hemisphere.
Elevation - The height of something above a given or implied place, especially above sea level.
Latitude - The location on the Earth that is the angular distance of that location north or south of the equator
Ozone - A trace gas located in the atmosphere.
Precipitation - Rain, sleet, hail, snow and other forms of water falling from the sky.
Solar Radiation - The radiant energy emitted by a sun as a result of its nuclear fusion reactions.
Temperature - A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample of matter.
Topography - The surface features of a place or region.
Trade winds - The flow of air back to the equator.
Weather - The state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place.
Climate is the general weather conditions in a region. Climate describes the long-term physical characteristics of the troposphere in a given place or region. Climate is influenced by the temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, and air currents in a certain place or area. Many systems have been used to classify climate around the globe but probably the most well know and widely used is the Köppen Climate Classification System. This system uses monthly and annual temperatures and precipitation to distinguish each climate region. The Köppen Climate Classification Systems divides all of the land masses on earth into five climate classifications.
Humid tropical climates
Dry climates
Humid mid-latitude climates (temperate)
Polar climates
Highland
Most of the above classifications are defined primarily by their temperature. Dry climates are also defined by amount of precipitation. Humid tropical climates are regions that are warm all year long with very little or no seasonal variation. There are two types of humid tropical climates. Wet tropical regions have high temperatures and rainfall year round. Tropical wet and dry regions have high temperatures year round and rainy seasons followed by dry seasons.Dry climates are regions in which the amount of water lost to evaporation exceeds the amount of water gained by precipitation. There are two types of dry climates. Arid dry climates receive very little or no precipitation. Semi-arid dry climates receive little precipitation.Humid mid-latitude climates are regions in which there are clear seasonal variations in temperature. There are two types of humid mid-latitude climates: humid mid-latitude with mild winters and humid mid-latitude with severe winters. Humid mid-latitude with mild winters is further subdivided into three categories. Humid subtropical climates have high daytime temperatures and mild winters. Marine west coast climates have mild summers and winters with relatively high rainfall. Dry-summer subtropical climates have relatively mild summers and winters with little precipitation in the summer and heavy precipitation in the winter.Humid mid-latitude with severe winters is further subdivided into two categories. Humid continental climates have severe winters and warm summers. Subarctic climates have long, severe winters and short, warm summers.Polar Climates are regions in which the average temperature of the warmest months is below 10 ° Celsius. There are two main types of polar climates. Tundra climate regions have few to no trees due largely to a layer of permafrost. Ice cap climate regions are covered by ice and snow and the monthly temperature average is never above 0 ° Celsius.Highland climates are areas of high elevation that are cooler and wetter than nearby areas of lower elevation. Climate is