1. Introduction to the Climate System   1.1 Introduction 1.2 Overview of Midlatitude Climate 1.3 Overview of Tropical Climate Key Concepts from today’s Lecture: The climate system and its interacting components External and internal influences on the climate system Heat Capacity differences between land and ocean and the consequences of this for climate Clausius Clapeyron equation and how this relates to variations in humidity and rainfall in the atmosphere

1.1 Introduction: The Global Climate System   Figure 1.1

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Figure 1.2

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Figure 1.3

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Compare heat capacity of air and water http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyPLusD-tyM&feature=related

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Figure 1.4

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Figure 1.5

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Figure 1.6

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Figure 1.7

1.1 Introduction: The Atmosphere   Figure 1.8

1.1 Introduction: The Ocean   Figure 1.9

1.1 Introduction: The Ocean   Figure 1.10

1.1 Introduction: The Ocean   Figure 1.11

1.1 Introduction: The Ocean   See IRI for ENSO discussion: http://portal.iri.columbia.edu/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=491&mode=2

1.1 Introduction: The Ocean   Figure 1.12

1.1 Introduction: The Land Surface   Figure 1.13

1.1 Introduction: The Land Surface   Figure 1.14

The Sahara (>20N) The World’s Largest Desert Size: 9,000,000 square miles Temperature: 136F (58oC) Rainfall: Half of the Sahara receives < 0.79 inches per year Dust: World’s Largest Dust Source

The Sahel (15-20N)

The Soudan (10N-15N)

The Guinea Coast (10N-15N)

1.1 Introduction: The Cryosphere  

1.1 Introduction: The Cryosphere   NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (orange line shows average minimum ice extent (for 1979-2010 period). 2012 has lowest sea ice extent in more than 30 years.

1. Introduction to the Climate System   1.1 Introduction 1.2 Overview of Midlatitude Climate 1.3 Overview of Tropical Climate Key Concepts from today’s Lecture: The climate system and its interacting components External and internal influences on the climate system Heat Capacity differences between land and ocean and the consequences of this for climate Clausius Clapeyron equation and how this relates to variations in humidity and rainfall in the atmosphere Next Lecture will be concerned with the regional circulations and related weather that characterizes midlatitudes and the tropics