Global Climates 15 15 0 Global Climates Learning

Global Climates 15

15. 0 Global Climates Learning Intentions You will be able to: § Explain what a climate is. § Classify global climates. § Understand the factors that affect Ireland’s climate. 15

15. 1 What is a Climate? Global Climates Climate is the average weather across a large area of the earth’s surface. To classify the climate for an area, certain weather conditions, such as level of rainfall or hours of sunshine, must be measured. Conditions are measured for thirty-five years or more before an area’s climate is determined. Earth winter Earth in in summer 15

15. 2 Classifying Global Climate Types Hot Climates Equatorial Savanna Hot desert Temperate Climates Warm temperate oceanic Cool temperate oceanic Global Climates Cold Climates Tundra Boreal 15

15. 2 Classifying Global Climate Types Global Climates Hot climates around the world 15

15. 2 Classifying Global Climate Types Global Climates Temperate climates around the world 15

15. 2 Classifying Global Climate Types Global Climates 15 Cold Climates Cold climates around the world

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate Global Climates Ireland has a cool temperate oceanic climate. Irish winters tend to be cool and windy. Irish summers are mostly mild and less windy. Summer, Winter, Co. Donegal Tullagh, 15

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate 1. Distance from Seas and Oceans Ireland is an island surrounded by an ocean and a sea. The Atlantic Ocean is the main influence on Ireland’s climate. Warm North Atlantic Current (NAC), also known as the North Atlantic Drift. Global Climates 15

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate 1. Distance from Seas and Oceans Our seas heat up slowly in summer and cool down slowly in winter. Land heats up quickly in summer and cools down quickly in winter. Inland Irish areas have slightly colder winters and slightly warmer summers than Irish coastal areas. Global Climates 15

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate Global Climates 2. Latitude The latitude of a place is its distance from the equator. The further a place is from the equator, the cooler it is likely to be. 15

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate Global Climates 3. Prevailing Winds/Air Masses The wind that blows most regularly over an area is called the prevailing wind or prevailing air mass. 15

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate Global Climates 4. Altitude and Aspect Smaller areas may experience special climatic conditions of their own. These local climates are influenced by altitude and aspect. Doolough, Co. Mayo 15

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate 4. Altitude and Aspect Altitude means height above sea level. The higher a place is, the colder its climate will be. Temperatures decrease by roughly 1 degree Celsius for every 150 metres climbed. This decrease in temperature is called the lapse rate. Increased (higher) altitude also increases chances of rainfall. Global Climates 15

15. 3 Ireland’s Climate 4. Altitude and Aspect is the direction in which a slope faces. In the northern hemisphere, south-facing slopes are warmer than north-facing slopes. Slopes facing the sea experience sea winds and higher levels of rainfall called relief rainfall. Slopes on the leeward sides are drier. Global Climates 15

Global Climates Video: Climate Change by Numbers – Climate Changes 15