Climate Pages 275-287

What is the difference between climate and weather? Weather describes atmospheric conditions from moment to moment Climate describes characteristic weather patterns that occur over time; determined by temperature and amount of precipitation Temperature + Precipitation = Climate

How does solar energy affect the climate of an area? Heat from the sun is a key factor of climate Energy from the sun hits the equator at the most direct angle As you move away from the equator (=increase in latitude), the solar energy strikes at less direct angles

How does latitude affect the climate of an area? Closer to the equator = low degree of latitude = warmer temperature Moving away from the equator = higher degree of latitude = cooler temperature Earth is divided into climate zones based upon their latitude – polar, temperate, and tropical

How does elevation affect the climate of an area? Elevation = height above sea level As elevation increases, temperature decreases

How do large bodies of water affect the climate of an area? Water absorbs and releases heat more slowly than land does Water helps moderate the temperature of nearby land, meaning that sudden or extreme temperature changes rarely take place in these areas so there isn’t a wide range of temperature

How do large bodies of water affect the climate of an area? Places near water will have more moderate temperatures than other places with the same latitude Example: Michigan (surrounded by Great Lakes) vs. other Northern/MidWestern states Example: California’s coastal climate vs. states further inland

How do ocean currents affect the climate of an area? Ocean current = movement of water in a certain direction; surface currents are driven by wind Cold currents cool the air in these coastal areas; warm currents warm the air Ex: Gulf Stream – brings warm water/air

How does topography affect the climate of an area? Topography = surface features of a region Mountains Cold at top = dry, this is why there are generally no trees above a certain elevation Plains Long distances for winds to flow; when they merge, the mixing winds produce thunderstorms and even tornados