Earths Physical Geography Climate Regions Climate Zones The

Earth’s Physical Geography Climate Regions

Climate Zones The difference between Climate and Weather is…

Climate Zones The difference between Climate and Weather is…

Climate Zones The difference between Climate and Weather is…

Climate Zones Tropical Temperate Frigid

Climate Zones

Climate Zones Characterized by high, rocky mountainous terrain. No subcategories. The highlands are simply mountainous regions that do not conform to any other climate region. Highlands Temperature depends on elevation. Temps drop at the rate of 3 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation. Plants do not grow above the timber line. Just below the timberline is pine/fir trees only. Animal life is limited to those critters that can get by with limited oxygen and colder temps at high altitude. Rainfall also depends on elevation, since mountains cause condensation. Mountain goats and big cats are common. There are no seasons due to the high altitude.

Climate Zones No seasons. Temps and rainfall depend on elevation. No plants above timber line. Evergreens in high areas. Goats and big cats.

Effects on Climate • The Sun – Tropics receive more direct sun energy – Poles receive only glancing sun energy – Movement of air and water over the Earth’s surface distributes the sun’s heat

Effects on Climate • Winds – Prevailing Winds: Major wind systems following patterns over time – Trade Winds: Winds that blow from east to west in the Tropics – Westerlies: Winds that blow from west to east in the mid-latitudes PLAY #2

Effects on Climate • Storms – When moist, warm air rises suddenly and meets cold, dry air • Friction (lightning) • Circular motion of air may form tornadoes on land… • …hurricanes or typhoons over the ocean

Bell Ringer 02 -07 1. What is “temperature differential”? 2. Wind currents are caused by warm and cold air seeking what? 3. What causes thunder?

Effects on Climate • Ocean Currents – Like winds, currents follow patterns – Warm water flowing into colder regions can cause wetter climate – Cold water flowing into warmer regions can cause dryer climate – Temperature of surface water affects coastal region air temperature

Effects on Climate • El Niño and La Niña – Changes in normal wind and water patterns in the Pacific Ocean – Alters weather patterns in the western Pacific and along South America’s western coast – Drought at one end, flooding at the other

Bell Ringer 02 -08 1. Warm water flowing into colder areas causes what kind of climate – wet or dry? 2. What is the term we use for changes in normal wind and sea patterns in the Pacific that affect storms and drought in Australia and South America? 3. In the northern hemisphere, ocean currents rotate which direction – clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Landforms and Climate • Local Winds – Wind patterns typical only in a small area – Usually occur where land water meet or near mountains and hills • Water and land heat and cool at different rates • Mountains channel wind

Landforms and Climate • Mountains: Temperatures and Rainfall – Slope facing the sun heats faster – Air is thinner higher up – Rain Shadow: • Warm, moist air rises on the windward side • Rising air condenses, causing rain • Rain falls on the windward side leaving the leeward side dry

Bell Ringer 02 -09 1. Name two things that cause local winds to be different from prevailing winds. 2. What is “Rain Shadow”? 3. What is “Lake Effect”?

Climate Zones • Urban Climate – Large cities have different climates from their surrounding areas – Paved streets and stone buildings increase temps by 10 to 20 degrees – Temperature differential causes unusual winds – Greater precipitation

Climate Zones