1. Climate

2. What is the difference between climate and weather?
Climate- the long term weather patterns of an area. Describes variations of temperature, precipitation, wind, and other weather variables. Example: the us is in a temperate zone. Mexico is in a tropical zone. Alaska is in a polar zone
Weather- Conditions at a particular time and place. Example: today it is sunny and warm, tomorrow could be cold and rainy.
Climatology is the study of the earth’s climate and the factors that have affected the past, present and future.
Some years may be warmer, cooler, wetter, or drier than others. But during the average human lifetime, climates do not change significantly. Changes do occur over long periods of time naturally.

4. What causes climate?
Latitude, topography, closeness of lakes and oceans, global wind patterns, ocean currents, and air masses all affect climate.
Latitude- the distance north or south of the earths equator. The amount of solar radiation varies because the earth is tilted
Normals- Information from meteorological records used to describe an areas climate including: daily highs and lows, rainfall, winds, humidity, and air pressure.
Data is averaged monthly/annually for at least 30 years

5. Short term climate change
Seasons- Short term periods .of climate change caused by the tilt of the earth El Nino- Warm ocean currents that occasionally develops off the west coast of south America. Occurs every 2-7 years. Volcanic activity- can send dust and ash into the atmosphere blocking solar radiation lowering global temps

6. Human factor
A significant influence on climate is the earth’s atmosphere. Humans have been putting more and more CO2 into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. Co2 is a green house gas. World temperatures have been increasing for over 200 years with most of the warmest having occurred within the last two decades

7. Deforestation
We are putting more and more co2 into the atmosphere and at the same time cutting down millions of acres of forest. Trees and forests absorb co2