Climate and Weather CGF3M1 Physical Geography

Weather All of the atmospheric activities that occur at a given place at a given time Weather conditions include temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, precipitation, barometric pressure and cloud cover

Weather Weather is the short term characteristics of the atmosphere Weather forecasts can change over a short period of time as a result of changes in the atmosphere Refers to the day to day changes of the atmosphere above a particular location

Climate The accumulation of daily and seasonal weather events over a long period of time Weather stations located across the globe collect data on an ongoing basis. Weather data allows us to see the climate picture of a particular location

Weather and Climate Change Weather is something we talk about daily and the changes to our climate is something that has not gone somewhat unnoticed over the past 20 years

Weather and Climate Change It is known that the Earth cycles through warming and cooling periods Evidence of this trend is documented in history (example The Vikings)

Weather and Climate Change Weather and Climate have a huge impact on our daily lives How you dress, how you move, where you live, what you live in, what you do, what we grow, primary industries, shaping of history etc.

Climate Controls The factors that produce the climate in any given place- the climatic controls- are the same that produce our day-to- day weather 4 basic variables/controls 7 different factors

Climate Controls 4 Controls Insolation Elevation Proximity of water bodies Ocean currents 7 Factors Latitude Ocean Currents Wind and air masses Elevation Relief Near water

Climate Controls Insolation The equator receives direct sunlight and therefore temperatures are warmer As we move away from the equator the suns rays are less direct and are spread over a larger area. Colder temperatures are a result

Climate Controls Elevation Elevation (altitude) is the distance above sea level As elevation increases temperature decreases Heat energy from the sun is absorbed by the land, as you move away from the heat-radiating surface temperatures decrease

Climate Controls Elevation Higher elevations have lower air pressure. This contributes to the colder temperatures Temperatures drop about 6.4°C for every 1000m of altitude (Environmental lapse rate)

Climate Controls Elevation The environmental lapse rate is the gradual decrease in temperature that occurs as one ascends a mountain Varies with the amount of pollution and water vapour in the air

Climate Controls Elevation Anomalies do occur reguarding temperatures in high places It is possible for valleys to experience cooler temperatures due to sinking air

Climate Controls Proximity of water bodies Water takes longer to warm up and cool down than land because it has the highest heat capacity of any common substance It takes a great deal of energy to raise the temperature of water

Climate Controls Proximity of water bodies Water is translucent therefore it absorbs sunlight Maritime Climate: A set of atmospheric conditions (relatively mild winters and relatively cool summers) that results from proximity to a large body of water Continental Climate: A set of atmospheric conditions that result in winters that are relatively cold and summers that are relatively hot sue to the absence of large water bodies

Climate Controls Proximity of water bodies

Climate Controls Ocean Currents The movement of heat energy from the equator toward to poles warms some shorelines, cools others and influences precipitation patterns

Climate Controls Ocean Currents Ocean currents influence the climates of the regions adjacent to them Currents flowing out of polar regions are cold relative to the surround waters Currents flowing outward from equatorial regions into the mid- latitudes are warm

Climate Controls Ocean Currents