The sun has been known as the key to the Earth’s weather. It’s rays filter through the atmosphere and warm the Earth’s surface which, in turn, heats the air above. This makes the air move because warm air rises. As the rising warm air moves farther away from the land, it cools and sinks. Air moves all over the world, causing winds which carry weather changes. Also, the Equator is hot because the sun shines directly overhead and the poles are so cold because the rays hit the Earth at lower angles.

Solar cycle – the rise and fall in the number of sunspots on the Sun. Although it’s been theorized that the Sun’s affect on weather really only falls along the lines of temperature, scientists have found a connection between the Earth’s cloudiness and Solar Cosmic Rays.

Cosmic Rays – a type of radiation that comes from space. Solar Cosmic Radiation comes from, more specifically, the Sun. Caused by solar flares and other explosions on the Sun. Through the decades, Sun-weather connections have largely been rejected by the scientific community.

La Nina – The opposite of El Nino. Cold surface temperature on the sea. Doesn’t occur as often as El Nino, also occurs in the winter. Only formed after El Nino. Caused by the return of Rossby waves bringing back too much water from Asia

Gulf Stream – currents of warm weather that flows across the Atlantic ocean from the Gulf to Europe and North Africa. Caused by wind friction as it moves over the water. Since the area is narrow, the currents can compress and gather strength. After it gathers strength in the gulf, it moves east and into the Atlantic. Effects from the gulf stream keep Florida and South Eastern US warm, also causes places like Ireland and England to be warmer than it should be due to their high altitude. Also helps strengthen hurricanes.

As has been said, changing ocean currents affect the regions that they reach. Whether for good, or the problematic effects such as avalanches, flooding, or hurricanes. These streams help nature, and help keep climates habitable. Haboob- a wall of dust as a result of a microburst or a downburst. Occurs mostly during summer months. Winds usually up to about 30mph and dust can rise into the air. Collapse of thunderstorms or cold fronts, which could be caused by La Nina.

How natural disasters affect weather!!!

There are 5 types of tornado 1 being weak 5 being super strong. Tornados are caused by a mixing of low and high air pressure systems colliding. Tornado typically are found on flat areas where the winds can pick up speed such as the great plains of America. Air pressure is the pressure of are on/in a container or of the atmosphere

Volcanoes have the biggest impact on the weather as apposed to being created or influenced by the weather. When a volcano explodes the ash and out gassing affect the global climate and contribute to the phenomenon called global warming. Although volcanoes are one of the most destructive forces of nature they also bring great benefit by making the soil very fertile.

WE WILL KNOW HOW THE OCEAN AFFECTS THE WEATHER! The oceans and atmosphere are closely linked. 1. The sun heats atmosphere as well as the ocean 2. Water evaporates from the ocean into the atmosphere a. Forms clouds and precipitation b. Movement of any fluid due to heating creates convective currents The ocean affects the wind. 1. Global ocean surface current patterns are similar to global surface wind patterns.

Specific heat and it's affects on the ocean and our weather. 1. Water has a high capacity for storing energy. It requires a large amount of heat energy to bring about even the smallest of a change. Thus water has a high SPECIFIC HEAT. a. The specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius. 2. The percentage of radiation reflected from a surface is called ALBEDO. Water surface reflects only small amounts of solar energy.

The ocean's surface temperature and the atmosphere 1. There is an exchange of heat and moisture between the ocean's surface and the atmosphere. Due to a difference in heat capacity between water and air, even a small change in the ocean's surface temperature could modify the atmosphere circulation. Thus possibly affecting global weather patterns. a. Atmospheric circulation is the movement of air together with smaller ocean circulation in which affects the climate.