CLIMATE AND WEATHER Is there a difference?

CLIMATE Climate: The average weather conditions over a large geographic area over a long period of time.

WEATHER Weather: Local or short-term conditions over a small geographic area.

What determines climate? Two main factors: Amount of solar radiation (sunlight) Amount of rainfall.

Climate Conditions for Patchogue, LI Weather vs. Climate Climate = Average conditions of an area “WHAT YOU EXPECT!” Climate Conditions for Patchogue, LI http://www.city-data.com/city/Patchogue-New-York.html Weather = Condition of the atmosphere from day to day “WHAT YOU GET!”

Factors that Affect Heating (Temperature) Angle (Height in the sky) of the Sun Duration (Time) of the Sun June 21st Path: MORE HEAT Sun is out longer and is higher in the sky More direct angle Less direct angle Dec. 21st Path: LESS HEAT Sun is not out as long and is lower in the sky

The climate in these areas is warm in the Polar Zone The winters are very cold and the summers cool to cold. Temperate Zone The climate in these areas is warm in the summer and cold in the winter. Tropical zone This area has hot climates all year long.

Other factors affecting climate include: Ocean currents Altitude Wind Relief of the land (mountains or flat land) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNMFKKyFU60 Solar panel roadways

Climate zones based on Rainfall Water Budget: The amount of water entering, being stored and leaving a region. Water entering (P) Water leaving (Ep) The ratio of P/Ep describes the water budget

Zones based on Water Budget Arid: Very dry. P/Ep ratio is less than 0.4 Semiarid: “Kind of” dry. P/Ep 0.4-0.8 Subhumid: “below” humid. P/Ep 0.8-1.2 Humid: Wet. P/Ep over 1.2

DO NOW What are the two main factors that determine climate? Solar radiation and rainfall What are the three climates based on temperature? Tropical, temperate, polar What are the four types of climate based on water budget? Arid, semi-arid, subhumid, humid

If the angle is … then the energy the Earth receives is ….

DO NOW How does the angle affect the concentration of light? Smaller angle, less concentrated. What affect do you think a smaller angle will have on temperature? Smaller angle, cooler

Explain why latitudes further from the equator have cooler climates. Conclusion Explain why latitudes further from the equator have cooler climates. **Include the energy and angle of the Sun in your answer. 19

WEATHER Weather: Local or short-term conditions over a small geographic area. Weather varies due to the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface.

ALL WEATHER VARIABLES ARE CAUSED BY THE SUN! Temperature Barometric Pressure Moisture (humidity) Wind REMEMBER: ALL WEATHER VARIABLES ARE CAUSED BY THE SUN! Uneven Heating

Temperature = = Heat moves from where it’s HOT to where it’s NOT! Measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules or a substance More Kinetic Energy = Faster Molecular Movement Less Kinetic Energy Slower Molecular Movement = Heat moves from where it’s HOT to where it’s NOT!

What factors affect temperature? Time of year, how high the sun is. Sun is higher in summer, lower in winter Water takes longer to heat and cool. Water has a higher specific heat. Altitude decreases temperature.

Absorption and Reflection of Heat White and Smooth = Dark and Rough = REFLECTS ABSORBS Dark/Rough Roof Light/Smooth Roof

WATER HAS A HIGHER SPECIFIC HEAT! Specific Heats Specific Heats Land vs. Water Land heats/cools quicker Water heats/cools slower LAND WATER REMEMBER: WATER HAS A HIGHER SPECIFIC HEAT!

Sea Breeze and Land Breeze Less Dense More Dense Less Dense More Dense What are sea and land breezes caused by? Density Differences caused by different Specific Heats!

Altitude and Temperature Temperature decreases in the troposphere as Altitude Increases Sea Level = 15ºC ; Tropopause = -55ºC

Humidity Humidity is how much moisture (water) is in the air. High humidity is very damp, moist air. Low humidity is very dry air.

Barometric Pressure The force exerted on a surface by the weight of the air above. A barometer is used to measure air pressure.

Pressure Weight of the atmosphere Affects on Pressure: Most Pressure = Troposphere Affects on Pressure: Altitude Temperature Moisture

Altitude and Pressure Sea Level = 100 ; Tropopause = 10-1 Pressure Decreases as Altitude Increases Sea Level = 100 ; Tropopause = 10-1

Temperature and barometric pressure Warm, moist air is less dense than cool, dry air, therefore: Will warm air exert more or less pressure than cool air?

Less Pressure! So, a low pressure system will have warm, moist air. A high pressure system will have cool, dry air.

Moisture and Barometric Pressure Will warm or cold air exert more pressure? COLD! Water is such a small molecule it makes the air lighter H₂O 1 + 1 = 16 = 18 N₂ 14 + 14 = 28 O₂ 16 + 16 = 32

FALLING BAROMETER = RAINY WEATHER More Altitude = Less Pressure Greater Temperature = Less Pressure More Moisture = Less Pressure LOW PRESSURES: Warmer More Moisture Couterclockwise and Inward L FALLING BAROMETER = RAINY WEATHER

RISING BAROMETER = FAIR WEATHER Less Altitude = More Pressure Lower Temperature = More Pressure Less Moisture = More Pressure HIGH PRESSURES: Cooler Less Moisture Clockwise and Outward H RISING BAROMETER = FAIR WEATHER

High vs. Low Pressures LOW PRESSURE: HIGH PRESSURE: AIR RISES forming clouds (condensation) and precipitation HIGH PRESSURE: AIR SINKS causing drier, calmer weather = LESS Pushing Down = MORE Pushing Down

DO NOW Weather is caused by the ______________ heating of the earth’s surface. Changes in __________ cause hot air to rise/fall and cold air to rise/fall. What factors include weather? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCO90hvEL1I

Weather forecasting Meteorologists use weather stations located around the world to study weather. Weather satellites orbit the earth collecting data that is sent to the stations.

Weather Maps Weather maps are created using all the data collected. They show: temperature wind speed barometric pressure humidity What is humidity?

Isolines Isoline: Connects points of equal value Isotherm: Connects points of equal temperature Isobar: Connects points of equal pressure

DO NOW What variables do weather maps show? temperature wind speed barometric pressure humidity

Air Masses Meteorologists study the motion of air masses to help forecast the weather. Air Mass: A large area of air with similar characteristics. What might an air mass over the ocean be like?

Moist While an air mass over a desert will be dry. Maritime: An air mass over the water. Continental: An air mass over land.

An air mass in the north will have cold air and an air mass in the south will have warm air. Arctic: Cold air mass Tropical: Warm air mass Polar: Not as far north as arctic

FALLING BAROMETER = RAINY WEATHER More Altitude = Less Pressure Greater Temperature = Less Pressure More Moisture = Less Pressure LOW PRESSURES: Warmer More Moisture Couterclockwise and Inward L FALLING BAROMETER = RAINY WEATHER

RISING BAROMETER = FAIR WEATHER Less Altitude = More Pressure Lower Temperature = More Pressure Less Moisture = More Pressure HIGH PRESSURES: Cooler Less Moisture Clockwise and Outward H RISING BAROMETER = FAIR WEATHER

DO NOW What is an air mass? A large area of air with similar characteristics. Describe the following air masses mT cT mP cP

Weather Front Where two air masses meet. Often associated with weather changes with precipitation.

Cold Fronts Cold air advancing Rapidly pushes warm air up Warm air is less dense = Rises Cloud Formation (Condensation) Precipitation Often heavy or thunderstorms

Warm Fronts Warm air advancing Slowly climbs up cool air Warm air is less dense = Rises Cloud Formation (Condensation) Precipitation Wide band of gentle rain ahead of warm front

Atmosphere Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Ewqm0YHUI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ViCNJAkHg