Factors Creating the World’s Climate Climate and Weather Factors Creating the World’s Climate

Weather Conditions Weather: condition of the atmosphere at a particular time Includes: Temperature Precipitation Humidity (how much water is in the air) Weather changes because of air masses, or large areas of air that have the same temperature and humidity Boundary between two masses is called a front A warm humid front usually means a thunderstorm

Climate Elements Climate: the average condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time. Includes: Average temperature Average precipitation Amount of change from one season to another Usually is calculated over a period of 30 years

Five Factors Affecting Climate Five factors that affect climate are: SUN/LATITUDE OCEAN CURRENTS PREVAILING WINDS PEOPLE LANDFORMS/ELEVATION NatGeo Video: Climate and weather

Weather or Climate? It snowed a lot in January this year. Summers are usually hot and rainy and winters are cool but dry. Climate It is usually hot and dry here in the summer.

Nebraska receives an average rainfall of 30 cm per year. Climate Last night we received 6 inches of snow. Weather It’s a beautiful day—warm and sunny.

Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get!

Factor #1: SUN/LATITUDE The Sun/Latitude The original source of climate Warms the air, water, and land for all life forms Latitude impacts the angle the sun hits the planet

Factor #2: Ocean Currents The movement of water in the oceans impacts climate Warm and cold currents, like the Gulf Stream, can alter a location’s climate significantly

A look below the ocean’ surface exposes diverse landforms; including undersea mountains, deep canyons, and broad abyssal plains. Due to this varied undersea landscape, in combination with the varied transitions to coastal land, water circulation in the oceans will naturally change in response to subterranean contours.

Figure 2.2 reveals that all the oceans are connected, and that large currents of water travel throughout the oceans. For the most part, warm water currents move from the equator toward the poles, while cold water sinks in locations at higher latitudes.

Factor #3: WIND Wind Movement of warm and cold air Prevailing winds come from one direction and blow most of the time Storms are created by the movement of wind and water around the Earth Ocean and Wind Circulation Interactive

Factor #4: People People Greenhouse Effect Deforestation Warming of the Earth (Interactive) Global Warming 101 (3:04) Deforestation Cutting down or destroying forests

Factor #5: Elevation & Landforms Elevation can impact climate – the higher the elevation, the colder it gets Rain Shadow Example

World Climate Regions

World Climate Regions Climate region: a group of places that have similar temperatures, precipitation levels and changes in weather Dry Climates Humid Temperate Climates Humid Equatorial Climates Tundra or Ice Climates Humid Cold Climates

Dry Climates Little to no rain or snow Both hot and cold temperatures Plant life includes: Shrubs Cacti

Humid Temperate Climates Cool winters and warm summers Ample rainfall Plant life includes: Mixed forests with evergreens Leafy trees

Humid Equatorial Climates Found near the equator High temperatures Rainfall all or most of the year Plant life includes: Tropical plants and rainforests OR Grasslands with trees

Tundra or Ice Climates North of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle Long, cold winters and short summers Plant life includes: Mosses OR No vegetation

Humid Cold Climates Cold winters and warm summers Rain and snow Plant life includes: Evergreen forests OR Deciduous/leafy forests

Extreme Weather Thunderstorm: a storm with lightning and thunder, usually producing gusty winds, heavy rain, and sometimes hail Tornado: a smaller storm than a cyclone, with winds powerful enough to reach 300 mph Cyclone: a storm with rotating winds Called a typhoon in the Eastern Hemisphere

Hurricane: A strong storm with swirling winds and heavy rains How Stuff Works: Hurricanes Hurricane Paths

Extreme Weather Flood: When water covers an area of land that is usually dry (often after a cyclone) Blizzard: A heavy snowstorms with strong winds and very cold temperatures Drought: When the amount of rainfall drops far below the average amount, usually accompanied by a heat wave (unusually high temperatures over a period of time) Today’s scientists are working to lessen the effects of extreme weather on humans and predict big storms

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