Weather and Climate Weather and Climate Weather condition

Weather and Climate

Weather and Climate �Weather = condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place � �Climate = average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time �Two main factors that affect climate �Temperature �Precipitation

Weather and Climate �These affected by… �Latitude = position north or south of the equator, represented by east west lines on a globe � 0˚ latitude = equator � 90˚ N = North Pole… 90˚ S = South Pole

Weather and Climate �Increase latitude; decrease temperature �Less direct sunlight �Seasons (w, sp, su, f) affected by the tilt of the earth which causes more/less direct sunlight

Weather and Climate �Ocean Currents �Warm currents…warm air �Cold currents…cool air

Weather and Climate �Prevailing Winds = wind that blows in one direction �From land = dry air �From water = moist air

Weather and Climate �Colder region = cool/dry �Warmer region = warm/moist �Air masses take on characteristics of what it is located over

Weather and Climate � Geography �Increase elevation; decrease temperature �Decrease elevation; increase temperature

Weather and Climate �Mountains �windward side = wet � Air rises, cools, condenses and rains �leeward side = dry…no moisture…deserts �air sinks, warms up, absorbs moisture

Weather and Climate �Three Major Climate Zones � � Arctic Circle… 66. 5˚ N � Tropic of Cancer… 23. 5˚ N � Equator… 0˚ � Tropic of Capricorn… 23. 5˚ S � Antarctic Circle… 66. 5˚ S

Weather and Climate �Tropical Zone �A. Tropical Rain Forest � 200 cm+ of rain � 70’s & 80’s temperature �Monkeys, lemurs, parrots, snakes, tigers, leopards

Weather and Climate �Tropical Savannah � 100 cm of rainfall � 80’s & 90’s temperature �Grasses, small trees, giraffes, lichens, hyenas, elephants

Weather and Climate �Tropical Deserts � 0 -25 cm of rainfall � 60’s to 120’s temperature �Cacti, lizards, snakes, scorpions, kangaroo rats �

Weather and Climate �Temperate Zone � A. Temperate forests � B. Temperate grasslands �C. Chaparrals �D. Temperate deserts

Weather and Climate �Polar Zone � A. Tundra �Permafrost = permanently frozen soil �Birds migrate in summer �Caribou, reindeer, rabbits, fox, birds

Weather and Climate �Taiga �“spruce-moose” biome �Conifers (evergreen), rabbits, moose, elk, wolves, bears