3-1 Weather and Climate
Weather Short term changes in the air for a given time and place
Climate A region’s average weather of a long period of time
Sun and Location Earth’s tilt – creates seasons Tilted towards Sun – Summer Away from Sun - Winter
Sun is more concentrated near equator
Cold air sinks Warm air rises WIND!
Winds Prevailing winds – winds that are blown in the same direction over large areas
Earth’s rotation causes winds to curve
Ocean Currents Large streams of surface water Move heat around Affect air temperatures
Gulf Stream North Atlantic Drift
Large Bodies of Water Make land temperatures for mild Water heats and cools slower that land
Storms Air mass – large body of air Front – place where to air masses meet
Fronts create storms
Mountains Rain shadow Cooling moist air on one side Warming dry air on one side