Climate Notes 1: Air Masses Air Masses: Air that has uniform characteristics A single air mass has similar temperature and humidity The area an air mass originates is called its SOURCE REGION

Air Mass Source Regions A= arctic=very cold P=polar= cold T=tropical=warm C=continental=dry M=marine=humid Each air mass has two letters... A combination of temperature and humidity

Air Mass Source Regions

Climate is… Average temperature and moisture conditions for area over a long period of time! …A combination of TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY A climate can be described as.. Warm and dry (deserts) Warm and humid (rainforests) Cool and dry (high latitude continents) Cool and humid (high latitude oceans) Variable/temperate (mid latitudes)

Summary Questions 1. The area that an air mass originates is the ____ ______ 2. An mT air mass is _____ and _______ 3. A cP air mass is ______ and ________ 4. Climate is the average ______________________________ 5. What type of climate is in Arizona? ______ what is its climate designation?

Notes 2:Global Climate Factors Wind Patterns (p14 ESRT) Warm humid rises at equator and creates LOW pressure Air cools and sinks at about 30o to create HIGH pressure Air again rises at about 60o to create LOW pressure Air sinks at the poles This air movement creates the global wind patterns shown on p 14 of the ESRT HIGH PRESSURE LOW PRESSURE HIGH PRESSURE LOW PRESSURE HIGH PRESSURE

Wind Patterns: ESRT p 14 Air moves from HIGH to LOW pressure to form global wind patterns! NE Winds SW Winds NE Trade Winds Wind direction is FROM where it blows SE Trade Winds NW Winds Animation!

Latitude and Climate: ESRT p 14 Low pressure areas are humid and form rainforests DESERTS HUMID DESERTS High pressure areas are dry and form deserts! HUMID DESERTS Climate Animation

Inter-tropical Convergence Zone Planetary Winds converge at the equator… Warm humid air rises and cools to form constant clouds! LOT’S of RAIN!! Climate Patterns ITCZ Animation

Ocean Currents Take warm and cool water around the world Currents modify climate of coastal areas Gulf Stream keeps the UK warmer than it should be! Ocean Currents Animation

Areas Near Water Have Moderate Temperatures Climate Notes 3 Large Bodies of Water Warmer in winter Warmer in summer Cooler in summer Cooler in winter Areas Near Water Have Moderate Temperatures

Land and Sea Breeze Land and Sea Breeze Sea Breeze Land Breeze In the day time… Sea Breeze Warm air rises over land to create LOW pressure Wind blows onto shore At night… Land Breeze Warm air rises over water to create LOW pressure Wind blows off shore Land and Sea Breeze

Elevation and Orographic Effect High elevation areas are generally cooler! OROGRAPHIC EFFECT Humid coastal air hits mountains and rises… Rising air cools and saturates with moisture Rain on the windward side of mountain! Air is dry on the leeward side…desert area! Orographic animation

Climate Review Define Climate What are the different air mass source regions? Why is there a low pressure zone in the tropics? Why are there high pressure zones in at 30oN and S? What is the temperature difference between a coastal climate and a continental climate? Explain why it’s humid on the windward side of mountains and dry on the leeward side. What are ocean currents? How do they affect climate? How do sea and land breezes form? When does each form?

Climate Notes 4: The Water Cycle Also called the Hydrologic Cycle Water moves from one region to another The basis for climate and weather on Earth Click pic for water cycle tune

The Water Cycle Several processes move water around on Earth Evapo-Transpiration- “Ep” Combination of evaporation from surface water and transpiration from plants How water vapor enters atmosphere Dependent on temperature and amount of insolation

The Water Cycle Condensation- Water vapor changes to liquid water Happens when humid air rises and cools Condensation forms clouds

The Water Cycle Precipitation- water returns to Earth’s surface Rain, snow, etc…

The Water Cycle Infiltration-water soaks into the soil Happens most when soil is permeable and dry This water becomes groundwater

The Water Cycle Runoff- water runs over Earth’s surface Opposite of infiltration Happens most when soil is impermeable and saturated and on a steep slope Collects in ponds, lakes, etc…

The Water Cycle Water evaporates from the surface to start the cycle over! We still use our original water that formed from condensation of volcanic gases millions of years ago It’s the same water the dinosaurs drank! Collects in ponds, lakes, etc…

Climate Vocabulary Water Cycle Evapotranspiration Condensation Precipitation Infiltration Runoff Insolation Orographic Effect Land Breeze Sea Breeze Moderation Ocean Current Global Wind High Pressure Low Pressure mT mP cP cA mA cT Air Mass Humidity Source region