Jet Stream

This is a high-speed, winding wind current.

It generally moves from a westerly direction

(400 km + per hour) at altitudes of 10-15 km

Weather

Day-to-day atmospheric conditions of a region

- is temporary

Climate

Meteorological conditions of a region over a long period of time

Example:  hot desert like the Sahara

Nonexample:  hot day in the summer

Earth/Sun Relationship

http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/01_EarthSun_E2.html

This is a type of effect on weather and climate that has to do with the position of the earth and the sun.

For example:  The earth's tilt at 23 1/2 degrees, the earth rotating around the sun and getting amounts of sun

See this link: http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/01_EarthSun_E2.html

Soltices

two times during the year when the tilt of the earth is closest or farthest from the sun. 

(Winter is Dec 21st and Summer is June 21st for the northern hemisphere)

Equinoxes

two times during the year when the earth is as parallel to the sun as it will ever be.  During this time, there is equal amounts of sunlight and darkness in both hemispheres. 

(Fall occurs approximately Sept 22nd  and Spring occurs approximately March 21st)

Perihelion

when the earth is closest to the sun

(146.24 million Kilometers or 91 million miles)

Aphelion

when the earth is farthest away from the sun

(151.36 million Kilometers or 95 million miles)

(think, "apart")

Water Rule

This rule says:  average temperatures do not fluctuate (or change) more than 40 degrees

Land rule

Land heats up and cools down at a rate much faster than water

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html

http://www.grc.k12.nf.ca/climatecanada/images/oro_rain.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deserts

Wind Patterns

This is when air current circulate around the globe (moves air from the pole and equator)

Large Bodies of Water

These are what seriously impact the Southern Hemisphere during the summer.

Landform Features

These are effects like mountains or plains that impact climate and weather

Arctic and Antarctic Circles

These are located at 66 1/2 degrees North and South of the Equator

Leeward

The side of a mountain that gets the least amount of wind.