Influences on Climate The Factors That Create Climate

Influences on Climate The Factors That Create Climate

Warm Up Use your book pages 518 -519 to help you answer the following questions: 1. What is climate? 2. What is the main determining factor of climate? Explain.

What is Climate? üClimate is the average temperature and precipitation in a specific area. üFor example: ▫ Washington DC’s climate is mild in both the summer and the winter. ▫ Our average winter temperature is 35 degrees. Our average summer temperature is 79 degrees. ▫ DC’s average snowfall is 17. 1 inches per year.

Climate versus Weather • Climate is the average over a long period of time. • Weather is the daily temperature and precipitation. So… in February our average climate is cold and wet. But… we had a day in February that was 70 degrees and sunny.

What are the factors that Influence Climate? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. LATITUDE!!! Atmospheric Gases Ocean Currents Mountains Prevailing Winds Elevation Cities

Latitude determines climate… LATITUDE How does it work? • the distance above or below the equator • The lower the latitude, the warmer the climate • The area between the tropics receive more direct sunlight and the poles receive indirect light due to the shape of the Earth.

Seasonal Influences on Climate The Earth’s axis tilt does create seasonal changes, but these are averaged into the climate of an area.

Global Climate Change Article Use page 7 of your folder… Write the question and the answer. 1. What are the major heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere? 2. What has happened to the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since the early 19 th century? 3. What has happened to temperature on Earth since the Industrial Revolution? 4. What kinds of things can happen as a result of an increase in global temperatures? 5. What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Greenhouse Gases Description • Carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor • Also known as heat trapping gases • They let the sun’s energy in and then keep the heat in close to Earth Visual

Volcanic Eruptions The gases and dust particles thrown into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions have an effect on climate. For the most part they cool the planet by shading incoming solar radiation. This affect can last for months to years, depending on the characteristics of the eruption.

Brain Pop Questions http: //www. brainpop. com/science/earthsystem/oceancurrents/ Copy the questions below. After viewing the “Ocean Currents” answer the following. 1. What is the gulf stream? 2. Even though Paris and Montreal are on the same latitude, Paris has a warmer climate. Why? 3. What is the “global conveyer belt? ” 4. What would happen to ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream, if the continents shifted?

Ocean Currents Effect Climate The Gulf Stream brings warm water toward Western Europe and keeps the temperature higher than the latitude would suggest!

Wind’s Influence Global winds impact the climate by bringing moisture or warm air… When wind blows from the water it brings moisture to an area making it wetter than areas where the prevailing winds blow across land

El Nino’s Influence on Climate http: //player. discoveryeducation. com/index. cfm? guid. Asset. Id=2426260 F-EEEE-469 BBF 00 -1 F 42 F 0201 CA 0&bln. From. Search=1&productcode=US http: //video. nationalgeographic. com/video/environment-naturaldisasters/landslides-and-more/el-nino/ • El Nino is an abnormal warming of the ocean waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean • It is caused by changes in wind patterns • It is believed to cause global changes in weather patterns such as floods, droughts and fewer hurricanes on the East coast of the US

Mountains block the wind and cause the windward side to be lush and green, while the leeward side is dry and desertlike.

Elevation Changes What are the differences in climate in this picture?

Cities as Microclimates Urban Heat Islands • Cities are often called Urban Heat Islands • A city might be 10 degrees Celsius hotter than the outlying areas • Rainfall in a city might be as much as 20% more than the surrounding areas

WHY ARE CITIES SO HOT? ? ? • Vegetation is replaced by asphalt, concrete and steel • Buildings, streets and parking lots absorb the sun’s radiation and release energy into the air…cooking the atmosphere • Car exhaust and smokestack emissions increase smog

Warm Up 1. Explain the impact that volcanic eruptions can have on climate. 2. Write one sentence that explains the relationship between the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Warm Up 1. Define El Nino. Where does it occur? (see page 424) 2. Climate is defined generally by what major factor? 3. What is the role of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? 4. How do ocean currents impact climate?