CLIMATE What is Climate Climate the weather conditions

CLIMATE

What is Climate? Climate - the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general over a long period

Climate Zones Climate Brain. POP § Tundra § Rain Forest § Desert § Deciduous Forest

Factors Affecting Climate Temperature Factors 1. Latitude • Average Yearly Temperature • Yearly Temperature Range 2. Altitude 3. Ocean Currents 4. Marine Vs. Continental Rainfall Factors 1. Latitude 2. Mountains - Orographic Precipitation

Latitude - Average Yearly Temperature • The area that receives the most direct rays of the Sun (equator, 0°) will have the highest yearly temperatures. • The area that receives the least direct rays of the sun (poles, 90°) will have the lowest yearly temperatures. • As latitude increases, average yearly temperatures decreases Avg. Yearly Temp. 0° 90 ° Latitude

Latitude - Yearly Temperature Range • Equatorial areas receive the direct rays of the Sun for most of the year. Therefore, the yearly temperature does not change much. Temperature Low Latitudes Mid Latitudes High Latitudes JFMAMJJASOND Month

Latitude - Yearly Temperature Range • As latitude increases, yearly temperature range increases 0° 90 ° Latitude

Altitude - Average Yearly Temperature Range • Altitude - the height of an object above sea level. Low average yearly temperature range High average yearly temperature range

Altitude - Average Yearly Temperature • As altitude increases, average yearly temperature decreases Altitude

Ocean Currents • Ocean currents move warm water from the equator towards the poles. • Ocean currents move cold water from the poles back to the equator to be heated again. (pg. _4_ of ESRT) Animation

Ocean Currents http: //www. livescience. com/196 62 -animation-reveals-oceancurrents. html

Marine vs. Continental • Sea or land locations affects temperature ranges. Since land gains and loses heat much more quickly than water, land areas tend to have warmer summers and cooler winters. Coastal areas near the ocean have cooler summers and milder/warmer winters. • Coastal areas have marine climates with a small yearly temperature range and areas inland have continental climates with a larger yearly temperature range

Marine Vs. Continental This graph shows the average monthly temperatures for two cities, A and B, which are both located at 41ºN latitude. Why is there a difference in the average yearly temperature range for the two cities? § Interactive Climate Map • Because City A is located inland (continental) and City B is located near water (marine)

Rainfall Factors - Latitude • Uneven heating of the Earth produces global wind & pressure belts. These belts determine the wetness or dryness of an area. • Low Pressure - rising air creates precipitation • High Pressure - sinking air creates a lack of precipitation Animation

Latitude Continued § What latitudes areas of low pressure? 0°, 60°N, 60°S What is the climate like there? High rainfall § What latitudes areas of high 30°N, 30°S, 90°N, 90°S pressure? What is the climate like there? Low rainfall

Orographic Precipitation WINDWARD Windward 4. Condenses 5. Precipitation 3. Cools rises 2. Expands 1. Rises Warm air Humid/Moist LEEWARD 6. Sinks 7. Compresses 8. Warms Arid/Dry

Windward Vs. Leeward • Rainfall occurs on the windward side of the mountain where the air is rising. • Cool & Wet • It is dry on the leeward side of the mountain where the air is sinking. • Warm & Dry

Orographic Precipitation Video

El Nino • A warming of the surface water of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, occurring every 4 to 12 years and causing unusual global weather patterns. • El Nino brings heavy rain to western South American and drought to eastern Australia and Indonesia. Animation

El Nino Video http: //video. nationalgeographic. c om/video/news/101 -videos/elnino

Lake Effect Snow • The air moving over the water needs to be cooler than the water. • The surface of the lake can’t be frozen

Lake Effect Snow • Water begins evaporating off of the surface of the lake into the air. • Fetch - distance over open water • The greater distance the wind blows over the warm water, the greater the convection /evaporation.

Lake Effect Snow CLOUD FORMATION CONDENSES COOL EXPAND RISE Warm air over water begins to

Lake Effect Snow § In some localities, wind blowing from a lake onshore is forced to climb up hills creating the orographic effect

Lake Effect Snow Video

Areas Affected by Lake Effect