Weather and Climate

What is Weather? Weather is the condition of the bottom layer of earth’s atmosphere in one place over a short period of time. Trivia Question: (Fill in the Blank) The atmosphere is a multilayer band of gases, water vapors and _______ above the earth. Dust

Weather and Climate Weather is a constant state of change, sometimes shifting erratically from warm to cool and back again in a short period of time. Weather in one region may influence, or be influenced by, weather in an area far away

Weather and Climate Climate is the term for the weather patterns that an area typically experiences over a long period of time.

Climate Factors Climate of an area depends on a number of factors: Elevation of the area. Latitude. Location in relation to nearby landforms and bodies of water.

Effects to the Climate by the Sun Greenhouse Effect The earth’s atmosphere has been compared to the glass walls and roof of greenhouse, which trap the sun’s warmth for growing plants. Trivia Question: Without Greenhouse effect, What would happen to the climate on the earth? The earth would be too cold for most living things.

Effects to the Climate by the Sun Rotation The movement of the earth through space, it spins on it axis like a top. The axis is an invisible line through the center of the earth. One rotation is equal to twenty four hours. The earth spins from west to east.

Effects to the Climate by the Sun Revolution Trivia Question: The path of the earth revolves around the sun is called an ______. Orbit A complete orbit around the sun is a revolution. One revolution is equal to 365 ¼ days-length of a year.

Effects to the Climate by the Sun Revolution of the Earth The earth revolves around the sun at an angle of 23 ½ degree on it axis. The boundary mark of the direct sunlight occurs at the Tropic of Cancer at 23 ½ degrees N and the Tropic of Capricorn at 23 ½ degrees S.

Effects to the Climate by the Sun The earth’s tilt determines the changes of the seasons. When the North Pole tilts toward the sun, there is summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. The changes in the seasons are marked by the summer and winter solstices. Summer Solstice –June 21 Winter Solstice- December 21

Effects to the Climate by the Sun Other marker of the earth’s seasons Spring Equinox – March 21 Fall –Equinox September 21

Effects to the Climate by the Sun Latitude The sun’s ray fall most directly at or neat the Equator thus areas close to the Equator have a warmer climate. The closer you are to the North and South pole, the less amount of sun rays meaning cooler the climate.

Earth’s Revolution and the Seasons

Distribution of the Sun’s Heat Trivia Question: What is the process in which there is a transfer of heat from one place to another Convection Occurs when warm gases and liquids are lighter or less dense than cool gases and liquids. Warmer gases and liquids tend to rise, while cooler, heavier gases and liquids sinks. Takes place in both air and water.

Distribution of the Sun’s Heat Movements of Air Movements of Water Wind Warm air flow from the Equator toward the poles. Cool air tend to move from the poles to the Equator. Current Warm water flow from the Equator toward the poles. Cool water tend to move from the poles to the Equator.

Distribution of the Sun’s Heat Wind Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the atmosphere overhead. Rising warm air creates areas of low pressure. Falling cool air creates areas of high pressure, Wind moves from areas of high pressure into area of low pressure.

Distribution of the Sun’s Heat Trivia Question: This effect is the event of deflection or bending of the wind due to the rotation of the earth. Coriolis Effect Winds curve right in the Northern Hemisphere. Winds curve left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Distribution of the Sun’s Heat Wind Patterns Trivia Question: At the Equator, the rising warm air causes calm weather. The region is called _______. Doldrums Two other regions of light and unpredictable winds occurs about 30 degrees North and South Latitude. Horse latitudes-cooler air sink toward the earth Trade winds between the horse latitudes and Equator from the northeast and southeast.

Wind Patterns Map

Ocean Current Maps