Why Climates Differ Yup, time to take some notes…

Questions to think about… A. Does the earth-sun relationship affect climate? B. Does circulation of air & water affect climate? C. Does shape of the land affect climate? A. Does the earth-sun relationship affect climate? B. Does circulation of air & water affect climate? C. Does shape of the land affect climate?

1. Weather A. Day to day changes in air B. Measured by: 1. Precipitation: water that falls to the ground 2. Temperature: amount of heat or cold at a certain time A. Day to day changes in air B. Measured by: 1. Precipitation: water that falls to the ground 2. Temperature: amount of heat or cold at a certain time

II. Climate A. Average weather over time B. Refers to averages (temps., amount of rainfall, etc.) C. Affected by: latitude, water, & shape of land A. Average weather over time B. Refers to averages (temps., amount of rainfall, etc.) C. Affected by: latitude, water, & shape of land

III. Earth-Sun Relationship A. Earth revolves around the sun – How long does it take? B. Revolution causes change in seasons C. Earth is tilted; always stays the same A. Earth revolves around the sun – How long does it take? B. Revolution causes change in seasons C. Earth is tilted; always stays the same

The Tilt and Seasons

IV. Climate & Latitudes A. Climates impacted by Earth’s relationship to the sun B. Places at Equator have hottest climates (tropical climates) – Why? C. Farther away from the Equator, less direct sunlight = cooler climates or polar climates A. Climates impacted by Earth’s relationship to the sun B. Places at Equator have hottest climates (tropical climates) – Why? C. Farther away from the Equator, less direct sunlight = cooler climates or polar climates

IV. continued D. Latitude is a major factor in influencing climate – If two places are located at same lat. & have similar land shapes, will their climates be similar? D. Latitude is a major factor in influencing climate – If two places are located at same lat. & have similar land shapes, will their climates be similar?

V. Air Circulation A. Prevailing winds (winds that blow in certain directions) move air B. Convection currents circulate heat around the Earth

Prevailing Winds

VI. Ocean Currents A. Behave like the winds B. Fast flowing streams in larger bodies of water C. Some are warm, some cold D. Have great effect on climates A. Behave like the winds B. Fast flowing streams in larger bodies of water C. Some are warm, some cold D. Have great effect on climates

Ocean Currents - surface

Currents & temps

VII. Land forms & Climate A. Elevation affects climates 1. Higher elevation = cooler temperatures & vice versa 2. Temp. drops 3 degrees for every 1000 ft. of elevation 3. Vertical Climates result A. Elevation affects climates 1. Higher elevation = cooler temperatures & vice versa 2. Temp. drops 3 degrees for every 1000 ft. of elevation 3. Vertical Climates result

VI. continued B. Mountains affect air flow