Climate

What is climate? Long term weather pattern. Determined by Latitude Precipitation

Classification Tropical - Between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn

Tropical Wet: Usually closest to the equator Warm Temperatures Large amounts of rain year-round

Tropical Savannah 20-30 degrees N & S of Equator Wet and Dry seasons: Rainy in the Spring and Summer, Dry in the Fall and Winter

Mid Latitude

MidLatitude Mediterranean Usually 35 degrees N and S Western edge of continent Mild wet winters Warm dry summers California, Southern Africa, Mediterranean Sea region

MidLatitude Humid Subtropical 20-40 degrees N or S Eastern side of continent near the ocean Wet summers Shorter growing season than Med. climate

MidLatitude Marine West Coast Western edge of continent Wind off water moderates temperature Mild summers Cool winters Northwestern US, western Europe

Severe MidLatitude Humid Continental Eastern side of continent Short summers Long, cold winters Eastern North America, East and Central Europe, East Asia

Severe MidLatitude Sub-Arctic long, cold, dark, winter Short, cool summer 7 months below freezing Ice from September to May

Polar Climate Tundra 1 month above freezing Very little vegetation Near Arctic Circle, Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, Russia

Polar Climate Ice Cap 9% of earth’s surface Warmest month averages below 0 Very little precipitation – less than 5 inches per year

Any Latitude Dry Climates Desert Semi arid Less than 10 inches precipitation per year Can be cold or hot Semi arid Edges of deserts Grasses, but not enough rain for trees, so usually dry

Highland or Mountain 30 cooler for every 1000 feet up Snow on north face of mountains above 12,000 ft, Colorado, July, 2009

Factors that Control the Climate Latitude Determines intensity of sunlight Low=warm Mid=temperate High=polar/cold

Factors that Control the Climate Continentality Large landmasses affect climate Far from water, more severe hot and cold (Omaha) Near water, moderate climate (Houston, London) Located near the ocean, London experiences mild temperatures and ample precipitation throughout the year. Omaha, Nebraska's large temperature range reflects its continental location.

Factors that Control the Climate Elevation Higher is colder

Factors that Control the Climate Mountain Barriers Blocks precipitation and wind Create rainshadows

Factors that Control the Climate Ocean currents Air off ocean can be warm or cold, depending on current Moderates temperature (marine west coast)

Hurricanes Begin in warm tropical waters as a tropical depression Move in a counter clockwise direction Camille strongest to hit US Galveston storm of 1800 resulted in an estimated 12000 dead

Types of Precipitation Convectional Hot air rises Its temperature drops Now the air is cold, and it sinks Air masses with circulation can cause hail

Types of Precipitation Orographic Windward side of mountain receives rain As the air cools, it can’t hold moisture Eventually moisture is released Leeward side is dry rainshadow

Types of Precipitation Cyclonic or Frontal Moving air masses collide Air mass = air with same temperature and humidity

Climate