Climate and Weather CGC1P

Weather The day to day characteristics of atmospheric conditions Temperature Precipitation (rain, snow) Humidity Wind speed and direction Air Pressure

Climate The long term pattern of weather conditions Over the years, records have been kept of the weather in different part of Canada These records show a pattern over a long period of time Climate influences: Where we live What we grow Clothes we wear Outdoor activities

Measuring the Weather Precipitation – rain gauge Temperature – thermometer in Celsius Humidity (moisture in air) – hygrometer Wind – anemometer Cloud cover – satellites Air pressure – barometer UV rating Wind direction – weather vane

Climate Factors Remember the acronym “LOWERN” or “Lower Near Water” to help remember the six major influences of a region’s climate Lattitude Ocean Currents Wind Elevation and Relief Nearness to Water

Lattitude Distance from the equator is the major determining factor in whether a region is hot or cold Why? Recall: the sun’s energy is more concentrated at the equator while the same amount of sunlight must heat a much greater area in the poles (curvature of the earth) In general terms, the further the distance from the poles, the colder the temperature

Ocean Currents The temperature of air above the water is affected by the type of current Example: cold current = cold air temperature Labrador current – cold current Gulf of Mexico – warm current North Pacific – warm current

Wind Jet stream – flows up to 400 km/h at altitude of 8000 m to 15 000 m flows west to east in the Northern Hemisphere Origin of wind can bring dry, cold air (polar) or warm, moist air (Gulf of Mexico)

Elevation and Relief Relief refers to differences in elevation Mountain ranges act as barriers to movement of air masses AND cause precipitation

Elevation and Relief Air cools as it rises Drops 1 degree for every 100 m elevation increase After condensation begins (cloud formation) the temperature drop is .60 degrees for every 100m increase

Nearness to Water Water can have a moderating effect on land temperatures WHY? Water takes much longer to heat up AND cool than land

Example: Vancouver Summer: Winter: water is much cooler than land = cooler temperatures in Vancouver Winter: water temperature is warmer than land = warmer temperatures on land than would normally occur Vancouver has what we call a Maritime Climate – water moderates the temperature producing a small temperature range