III. Climate Regions A. The Sun B. Winds 1. Earth’s climate is linked directly to the Sun. a) Tropics more sun. b) Poles less sun. c) Movement of air and water helps distribute the Sun’s energy. B. Winds 1. Air in the tropics moves north and south toward the poles of the Earth. a) Colder air moves to the equator which form wind.

III. Climate Regions C. Storms b) These patterns of wind are called prevailing winds. 2. Because the Earth rotates, winds curve across the Earth’s surface. a) Winds from east to west are trade winds. b) Westerlies from west to east between 60° and the tropics. C. Storms 1. When moist, warm air rises suddenly and meets dry, cold air, major storms can develop. a) Summer thunderstorms and winter blizzards.

III. Climate Regions D. Ocean Currents E. El Niño and La Niña b) Hurricanes (E. Pacific & W. Atlantic) and typhoons (W. Pacific). D. Ocean Currents 1. The steadily flowing streams of water in the world’s seas are called currents. a) Currents that carry warm water to higher latitudes can effect the climates in those latitudes. (Gulf Stream) E. El Niño and La Niña 1. Sometimes unusual weather patterns can occur.

III. Climate Regions F. Landforms and Local Winds a) In one of these events, weakened winds allow warmer waters to reach South America’s coast. b) This change altars weather and beyond. c) These conditions are known as El Niño. d) La Niña causes unusually cool waters and low rainfall for the Eastern Pacific. F. Landforms and Local Winds 1. Some landforms cause local winds, or wind patterns that are typical only in small areas. a) Day = cool sea breeze blows into land. b) Night = cool sea breeze blows out to sea.

III. Climate Regions G. Mountain, Temperature, and Rainfall c) Local winds also occur near tall mountains. G. Mountain, Temperature, and Rainfall 1. The slopes of a mountain can heat more quickly than nearby land. a) Air is thin at the peaks resulting in colder temperatures. 2. Mountains have an effect on rainfall called a rain shadow that blocks rain from reaching interior regions. (Andes and Himalayas) a) Mountains facing wind = windward

III. Climate Regions H. Climate Zones I. Major Climates b) Mountains not facing wind = leeward. H. Climate Zones 1. Climate zones are areas of similar temperature and precipitation patterns. 2. Biomes ex: rain forest, desert, grasslands, tundra, etc. I. Major Climates 1. Scientists have identified 5 major climate zones. a) Tropical, dry, mid altitude, high altitude, highland.

III. Climate Regions J. Urban Climates 1. Urban cities show significant climate differences from surrounding areas in their climate zone. a) Urban climates are marked by higher temperatures and other differences. b) Paved streets and stone buildings soak up and then release more of the sun’s energy than areas covered by plants.