Tropical climates are most common near the Equator, where the sun's rays are most direct year-round.
Deserts can be hot or cold; what defines a desert is very low precipitation.
Monsoon seasons are driven by seasonal wind shifts and strongly affect South and Southeast Asia.
The Mediterranean climate typically features dry summers and wetter winters (common around the Mediterranean Basin and similar latitudes).
Ocean currents help redistribute heat and strongly influence coastal climates.
Mountain ranges can create rain shadows, making one side wetter and the other side much drier.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a belt near the Equator where trade winds meet, often producing frequent storms.
El Niño and La Niña are phases of ocean–atmosphere variability in the tropical Pacific that can affect weather worldwide.
Hurricanes (tropical cyclones) form over warm ocean water and can affect regions around the Atlantic and eastern Pacific.
Permafrost is ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years, common in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms Earth's surface, enhanced by human activities.
Tundra climates are found in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions with very cold temperatures and short growing seasons.
Taiga (boreal forest) is the world's largest terrestrial biome, found in northern regions with cold winters.
Tornadoes are violent rotating columns of air that form in severe thunderstorms, most common in the central United States.
The jet stream is a fast-flowing air current in the upper atmosphere that influences weather patterns.
Climate zones are classified using systems like the Köppen climate classification.
The Coriolis effect causes moving objects to curve due to Earth's rotation, affecting winds and ocean currents.
Altitude affects climate, with temperatures generally decreasing as elevation increases.
Continental climates have large temperature variations between summer and winter.
Maritime climates are moderated by nearby oceans, with milder temperatures and more consistent precipitation.