Weather/Climate Mrs. Gibson

Weather: day to day atmospheric conditions/events Climate: the average conditions year after year Ex: What is the weather in Texarkana? What is the climate in Florida?

The main source driving all weather and climate is the…… SUN!!!!

Convection Convection: Rising and circulating air Main purpose is to keep hot air moving so it doesn’t get too hot on the surface of the Earth If there was no convection, the average temp on Earth would be 125 degrees. Leave space for drawing

Humidity Humidity: how much water vapor is in the air Ex: 100% means it is very humid 20% means it is pretty dry

Air Pressure Air Pressure: amount of force pressing down on an area High Pressure: So much pressure is pushing down on the Earth, it pushes all the clouds away. CLEAR, SUNNY SKIES. Symbol “H” Low Pressure: Not much pressure which allows clouds to form. CLOUDY, RAINY, STORMY. Symbol “L”

Fronts Fronts: Are the boundaries between 2 air masses with different temperatures and pressures Cold Front: cold air moving towards warm air. Rain and thunderstorms (Low Pressure) Warm Front: warm air moving towards cold air. Warm air, creates clear skies eventually Stationary Front: Not moving; clouds and long periods of precipitation (rain, snow)

Atmosphere Drawing

Jet Stream Jet Stream: Air “River” that forms between the troposphere and the stratosphere. Flows from west to east in the northern hemisphere Result of certain weather differences (Like warm air and cold air meeting)

Air Masses 4 types: Continental: Over continents/land Maritime: Over water Tropical: Warm Polar: Cold

Winds Winds remove excess heat from Earth Move from High Pressure to Low Pressure Coriolis Effect: Winds cannot flow in a straight line because the Earth is rounded and rotating……air currents always curved. Northern Hemisphere: Air flows RIGHT Southern Hemisphere: Air flows LEFT

Prevailing Winds Diagram

Gyre Swirling vortex in the ocean 5 Gyres in the world Caused by Coriolis Effect

Ocean Currents Control the Earth’s climates. Oceans absorb heat and carry it to different parts of the Earth Example: Gulf Stream starts in the Gulf of Mexico and ends up near Enlgand. Keeps water temps from being too cold in British Isles.

Surface Currents Ocean currents that are near the surface of the ocean and are driven by wind. Continental Deflection: Currents hit the continents and bounce off in the opposite direction.

Deep Ocean Currents Colder, more salty, and more dense than surface water. Makes a continuous circle in the Earth’s oceans….warming near the equator and cooling off near the poles

Weather Instruments Thermometer: Temperature (Draw) Barometer: Air Pressure (Draw) Psychrometer: Humidity (Draw) Anemometer: Wind Speed (Draw)