1. Climate And Weather

2. Definitions: climate The general or average weather conditions of a certain region, including temperature, rainfall, and wind. On Earth, climate is most affected by latitude, the tilt of the Earth's axis, the movements of the Earth's wind belts, the difference in temperatures of land and sea, and topography. http://www.countrywatch.com/imgs/global_thematic/Global_Climates.gif

3. Definitions: weather The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place, with respect to variables such as temperature, moisture, wind velocity, and barometric pressure. http://www.filebuzz.com/software_screenshot/full/33905-weather_station_on_your_pc.jpg

4. Sun Drives Weather Solar energy strikes the Earth, heating unevenly Water moderates climate – takes a great deal of energy to increase water’s temperature http://www.solstation.com/stars/sol1.jpg

5. Earth’s Tilt Earth currently tilted 23.5 degrees Summer and winter solstice, sun in direct line with the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn Autumn and Spring Equinox, crosses the Equator http://www.divulgence.net/AxialTilt.jpg

6. Solar Radiation http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/wc.notes/2.heating.earth.surface/images/sunangle.changes.3.angles.jpg

7. Solar Energy Coriolis Effect Pattern of Energy Distribution Cosine Law More energy received at equator than at poles http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Antevs/ecol438/lect03a.html

8. Earth’s Orbit Around the Sun http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Antevs/ecol438/lect03a.html

9. Temperature http://www.climate-charts.com/World-Climate-Maps.html

10. Rainfall http://www.climate-charts.com/World-Climate-Maps.html

11. Major Wind Currents http://www.climate-charts.com/World-Climate-Maps.html

12. Air Patterns Warm air holds more water vapor than cold air Warm air rises; cold air sinks Warm air is low pressure; cold air is high pressure http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/images/surfacecirculation.gif

13. 30ºN – Tropics – 30ºS Moist air in tropics rises, cools in upper atmosphere, drops back down. Cool dry air descends around 30º, sweeps along desert regions, picking up any moisture, and returns to tropics. http://oceanmotion.org/images/background/hadley-cloud.jpg

14. Tropical and Desert Regions Equatorial Heat http://www.geo.arizona.edu/Antevs/ecol438/lect03a.html

15. Arctic and Temperate Regions http://pdf.comnap.aq/comnap/comnap.nsf/c_ops_met1.jpg http://maps.grida.no/library/files/projected_changes_in_the_arctic_climate__091.jpg

16. Put It Together and What Do You Get? http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/education/secondary/students/forecasting/Weather_Forecasting.gif