Climate and Climate Change

Lesson 1 Factors Affecting Climate

Climate Weather – Condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time Weather – Condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time Climate – average, year after year events; C onditions of temperature, precipitation, winds and clouds in an area Climate – average, year after year events; C onditions of temperature, precipitation, winds and clouds in an area Factors Affecting Climate Factors Affecting Climate Precipitation Precipitation Temperature Temperature

Factors Affecting Precipitation 1. Prevailing Winds – moves air masses Amount of water vapor in an air mass determines how much precipitation will fall Amount of water vapor in an air mass determines how much precipitation will fall Warm air can carry MORE water vapor than cold air Warm air can carry MORE water vapor than cold air Amount of water vapor depends on where winds originate from (ocean or land) Amount of water vapor depends on where winds originate from (ocean or land) Sinking cold air warms as it nears the earth’s surface and absorbs water vapor which creates very dry air or desert Sinking cold air warms as it nears the earth’s surface and absorbs water vapor which creates very dry air or desert

Factors affecting Precipitation 2. Mountain Ranges Forces air to rise and cool Forces air to rise and cool Water vapor condenses and forms clouds Water vapor condenses and forms clouds Rain/snow falls on the windward side Rain/snow falls on the windward side Cool/dry air on the leeward side Cool/dry air on the leeward side Known as a rain shadow Known as a rain shadow

Factors Affecting Temperature: Latitude Latitude Areas at the equator receive the sun’s direct rays Areas at the equator receive the sun’s direct rays At areas near the poles the sun’s rays are spread out over a larger area At areas near the poles the sun’s rays are spread out over a larger area Three Zones Three Zones Tropical: 0°-23.5° (latitude) direct sun rays year round Tropical: 0°-23.5° (latitude) direct sun rays year round Temperate: 23.5°-66.5°(latitude)direct rays in the summer Temperate: 23.5°-66.5°(latitude)direct rays in the summer Polar: 66.5°-90° (latitude) sun rays strike at a low angle Polar: 66.5°-90° (latitude) sun rays strike at a low angle

Factors Affecting Temperature Altitude Altitude Altitude can create a different climate due to the distance above sea level Altitude can create a different climate due to the distance above sea level Temperature decreases at 6.5°C for every kilometer above sea level Temperature decreases at 6.5°C for every kilometer above sea level Example: Mount Kilimanjaro is located at 3° S latitude yet its peaks are covered in snow Example: Mount Kilimanjaro is located at 3° S latitude yet its peaks are covered in snow

Factors Affecting Temperature Distance from Large Bodies of Water Distance from Large Bodies of Water Marine Climates Marine Climates Mild winters and cool summers Mild winters and cool summers Continental Climates Continental Climates Extreme fluxes in temperature Extreme fluxes in temperature

Lesson 2 Ocean Currents

Ocean Currents- streams of water within the oceans that move in regular patterns Ocean Currents- streams of water within the oceans that move in regular patterns Warm currents carry warm water from the tropics to the poles Warm currents carry warm water from the tropics to the poles Cold currents bring cold water from the poles toward the equator Cold currents bring cold water from the poles toward the equator Currents affect the land because the surface of the water warms or cools the air above it then the air moves to nearby land Currents affect the land because the surface of the water warms or cools the air above it then the air moves to nearby land

Lesson 3 Climate Regions

Types of Climate Regions Six main types of climate regions: Tropical Tropical Arid (Dry) Arid (Dry) Temperate marine (Mediterranean) Temperate marine (Mediterranean) Temperate Continental Temperate Continental Polar Polar Mountain Mountain

Tropical Characterized by Characterized by Precipitation—large amounts Precipitation—large amounts Temperature—warm all year Temperature—warm all year

Arid Characterized by Characterized by Precipitation—very little Precipitation—very little Usually due to a prevailing wind that carries little moisture. Usually due to a prevailing wind that carries little moisture.

Temperate Marine Characterized by Characterized by Temperature—mild in summer and winter Temperature—mild in summer and winter Due to proximity of a large body of water. Due to proximity of a large body of water.

Temperate Continental Characterized by Characterized by Temperature—cold winters, hot summers Temperature—cold winters, hot summers

Polar Characterized by Characterized by Temperature—very cold winters, cool summers Temperature—very cold winters, cool summers Due to latitude Due to latitude

Lesson 4 Solar Energy

The Sun emits energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, including light and heat. The Sun emits energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, including light and heat. The heat from the Sun: The heat from the Sun: Determines climate Determines climate Creates weather patterns Creates weather patterns Is transferred in 3 ways: by conduction, convection, and radiation. Is transferred in 3 ways: by conduction, convection, and radiation.

Conduction The transfer of energy from one particle to another through collisions of atoms. Touch The transfer of energy from one particle to another through collisions of atoms. Touch

Convection Heat is transferred by the movement of currents in a fluid, like water or air. Convection currents in liquids and gases only. Heat is transferred by the movement of currents in a fluid, like water or air. Convection currents in liquids and gases only.

Radiation Heat is transferred by electromagnetic waves. Heat is transferred by electromagnetic waves.

Solar Energy and the Atmosphere The heat from the sun heats the Earth’s surface unevenly. The heat from the sun heats the Earth’s surface unevenly. The heat from the sun heats the particles in the atmosphere through radiation. The heat from the sun heats the particles in the atmosphere through radiation. The particles pass energy through conduction. The particles pass energy through conduction. Warm air rises and cool air sinks. This causes convection currents. Warm air rises and cool air sinks. This causes convection currents. The movement of air creates weather. The movement of air creates weather.

Lesson 5 Specific Heat

Specific heat tells how much energy is needed to raise a substance’s temperature one degree kelvin. Specific heat tells how much energy is needed to raise a substance’s temperature one degree kelvin. The amount of energy needed to change the temperature depends on the substance. The amount of energy needed to change the temperature depends on the substance. Water requires more energy to raise its temperature than sand does. Water requires more energy to raise its temperature than sand does.

Specific Heat and Climate An area’s climate can be determined by specific heat. An area’s climate can be determined by specific heat. An area near water will not have drastic temperature changes. An area near water will not have drastic temperature changes. An area that is only land will have drastic temperature changes. An area that is only land will have drastic temperature changes.

Sea Breeze A sea breeze develops during the day. A sea breeze develops during the day. The sand has a lower specific heat so the air over the sand heats up quickly. The sand has a lower specific heat so the air over the sand heats up quickly. Water has a high specific heat so the air stays cooler. Water has a high specific heat so the air stays cooler. Since hot air rises, cool air comes from over the water and blows onto land. Since hot air rises, cool air comes from over the water and blows onto land.

Land Breeze A land breeze occurs at night. A land breeze occurs at night. Sand has a lower specific heat so the air over it cools quickly. Sand has a lower specific heat so the air over it cools quickly. Water has a high specific heat so the air over it stays warmer. Water has a high specific heat so the air over it stays warmer. A convection current occurs. The warm air over the water rises and the cool air from the land takes its place. A convection current occurs. The warm air over the water rises and the cool air from the land takes its place.