Weather & Climate

As a class, brainstorm the meanings of the words weather and climate and some examples of both. Write down your responses in the space provided below.

What are the four processes of the WATER CYCLE? Write down your responses in the space provided, then touch the answer icon to reveal the answer.

Weather and climate describe two different things. The difference is a measure of time. Weather describes a mix of events that occur each day in our atmosphere. These events include temperature, rainfall, and humidity. Climate, on the other hand, describes the average weather pattern in a particular place or region over many years. For example, the climate of Los Angeles is generally warm all year round. Weather would describe a rainy day followed with sunny breaks.

Weather and climate involve the transfer of solar radiation into and out of the atmosphere. Solar rays enter the atmosphere at an angle that varies by latitude from the tropics. The farther from the tropics, the lower the sun angle is, resulting in cooler temperatures. Throughout the year, the Earth’s rotation changes, allowing for different locations to receive direct sunlight. In the summer, the Northern hemisphere, or North America, is tilted towards the sun, receiving direct sunlight. In the winter, it receives indirect sunlight by tilting away from the sun. This results in seasons. Differences in weather and climate around the globe occur due to the sun's angle. The Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbital place; therefore, sunlight changes angles at different times of the year. Over thousands of years, changes in Earth's orbit affect the amount and distribution of solar energy received by the Earth and influence long-term climate.

Earth’s surface is comprised of plates. These plates continually move at a rate of about 1.18 inches (3 cm) per year. Plate movement alters ocean currents, heat transportation, and global atmospheric circulation. Plate movement over millions of years have changed global land and ocean areas and created topography. The position of land masses, or continents, determines the location of the oceans and influences patterns of ocean circulation. Plate movement has a direct effect on ocean currents. Ever wonder why Australia has opposite seasons to North America? In our summer, we receive direct sunlight due to the Earth’s tilt. Because Australia is on the other side, they receive indirect sunlight, resulting in their winter.

Ocean currents can increase or decrease temperatures. Ocean currents carry warm and moist air from the equator around the globe. This warm and moist air affects the climate of a certain region. For example, the Gulf Stream carries warm air from the Gulf of Mexico to Britain. This explains the UK’s milder climate. The air that the Gulf Stream carries is also very moist. This explains why the UK frequently receives wet weather.

Oceans are a major factor in controlling weather and climate. Oceans store the most heat energy from the sun. When wind passes over the oceans, they carry with them moisture and warm air to nearby lands. Have you ever noticed that coastal areas are generally warmer than inland areas? This is because oceans have a much higher heat capacity than land, so the air surrounding coastal areas is much warmer than the air around inland areas. The Earth’s surface is covered by 71% water. This water continuously moves from the surface of the Earth into the air, and then falls back down to Earth again. This is the WATER CYCLE. The driving force of the water cycle is the Sun.

The Sun heats water in oceans and seas, turning water molecules into vapor, which then rises into the air. This process is called evaporation. The water vapor evaporates into the atmosphere, where cooler temperatures cause it to condense into clouds. Air currents move the clouds around the globe, where they collide, grow, then fall back down to Earth’s surface in the form of rain or snow. This process is called precipitation. Water is then collected in rivers, seas, and oceans where it is heated once more, turning into water vapor that will ascend into the atmosphere. These four processes form the WATER CYCLE.

Think about the definitions and examples you gave for weather and climate in the BEFORE YOU READ section. After reading the passage, form your list again and write your responses in the space provided below. How have your definitions and examples changed?

Complete the sentences by dragging the correct word into the spaces below, then touch the answer icon to reveal the correct answers. a)Weather describes a mix of events that occur each day in our atmosphere. These events include ____________, rainfall, and humidity. b)The Sun heats water in oceans and seas, turning water molecules into __________, which then rises into the air. c)Plate movement over millions of years have changed global land and ocean areas and created __________. vapor topography temperature ? topographytemperaturevapor

Drag the correct word(s) from the list to its corresponding definition, then touch the answer icon to reveal the correct answers. a)Horizontal and vertical circulation system of ocean waters, produced by gravity, wind friction, and water density variation. b) The large scale motions of Earth's rigid, outermost shell. c) Electromagnetic radiation, including X-rays, ultraviolet and infrared radiation, and radio emissions, as well as visible light, emanating from the Sun. Plate Movement Solar Radiation Ocean Currents ? Plate MovementSolar Radiation Ocean Currents