R EADINGS Read Chapter 20 in the textbook if you are confused about: Air masses (page 436) Fronts and Lows (pg 439) Thunderstorms and Tornadoes (pg 445) Hurricanes and Winter Storms (pg 450) Forecasting Weather-including surface maps, station models, etc. (pg 455)
R EADINGS FOR C LIMATE Textbook Chapter 21 It would be a good idea to read this chapter if you do not understand Temp and precip (pg 466) Climate controls (pg 467) Climate Zones (pg 469) Climate Changes (pg 474)
C LIMATE RRB pages Textbook Chapter 21
C LIMATE Weather: short-term condition of the atmosphere Climate: Average weather conditions over many years The average temperature, precipitation and annual distribution of temp and precip define the climate of an area Within the U.S., the climate generally becomes cooler as you go north The climate in regard to moisture varies: it is based on precipitation vs. the potential for evaporation and transpiration
F ACTORS THAT A FFECT C LIMATE
How does latitude affect climate? As latitude increases the average annual temperature decreases. This is due to the relationships between angle, intensity and duration of insolation to temperature
How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate? Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers._______ winters. City B is closer to a large body of water. Its temperature line is flatter (moderated). moderates Cities A & B are located at the same latitude. CoolerWarmer
How does the Orographic Effect affect climate? Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________ cool, moist warm, dry
The windward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills receive a great deal more precipitation The leeward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills receive much less precipitation
How does elevation affect climate? As elevation ____________ the average annual temperature __________. Elevation Temperature increases decreases
Page 14 of the ESRTs We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases with elevation.
How do ocean currents affect climate? Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate
P LANETARY W IND B ELTS ESRT PAGE 14 Prevailing winds influence local climates For Example: the eastern coast of N.A. is rarely affected by the warm waters of the Gulf stream because the prevailing winds come off of the land Within the wind belts, there are regions of rising air currents (low-pressure) and sinking air currents (high-pressure)
M ONSOONS Monsoons: Winds off the ocean that bring rainy weather to a region for a long period of time Typical in desert or arid regions Explanation of Monsoons
T YPICAL S TORM T RACKS Weather systems usually move W (Cali) to E (NY) in the United States Storms typically follow certain tracks, influenced by the prevailing westerly winds over North America
V ISUALIZATIONS Climate Zones How Nature Records Climate