1. Factors that affect the climate, World climates, and Climate Changes
Atmosphere & Climate
Factors that affect the climate, World climates, and Climate Changes

2. Climate is the weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period of time.
What is Climate?

3. FActors that affect climate
Latitude
Elevation
Topography
Water Bodies
Atmospheric Circulation
Vegetation

4. Distance North or South of the equator.
As Latitude Increases, the intensity of solar energy decreases.
Latitude
Distance North or South of the equator.

5. There are 3 Climate Zones: Temperate, Tropics, and Polar.
Latitude

6. Climate Zones North & south polar zones N. & S. Temerate zones
N. & S. Tropical zones

7. Elevation Height above sea level.
Air temperature decreases with elevation as well as the amount of precipitationn
Elevation
Height above sea level.

8. The physical features of an area.
Topographic features such as mountains play an important role in the amount of precipitation that falls over an area.
Topography
The physical features of an area.

9. Rain shadows are an effect of topography

10. The temperature of the water body influences the temperature of the air mass above it. Places downwind of a body of water have cooler summers and milder winters compare with inland areas
Water Bodies

11. Atmospheric Circulation
Global winds influences climate because they distribute heat and moisture around Earth.
Atmospheric Circulation
The movement of air in the atmosphere.

12. The types of plants that grow in a region.
Vegetation can affect both temperature and the precipitation patterns in an area. Vegetation influences how much of the suns energy is released and abosorbed. Transpiration releases water vapor and influences precipitation.
Vegetation
The types of plants that grow in a region.

13. World Climates

14. Köppen Climate Classification System
This uses mean monthly and annual values of temperature and precipitation to classify climates.
Köppen Climate Classification System
Classification system to group climates.

15. Classification System
There are 5 principle groups:
Humid tripical climates, dry climates, humid mid-latitude climates, polar climates, highland climates.
Classification System

16. Climate Changes

17. Natural Processes That Change Climate
Volcanic Eruptions
Ocean Circulation
Solar Activity
Earth Motions

18. They emit large volumes of ash and dust into the earth's atmosphere
The presence of volcanic ash, dust, and sulfur-based aerosols in the air increases the amount of solar radiation that is reflected back into space. This causes Earth’s lower atmosphere to cool.
Volcanic Eruptions
They emit large volumes of ash and dust into the earth's atmosphere

20. These changes in ocean circulation can result in short-term climate fluctuations.

21. Changes in output of solar energy.
When sunspots occur (Dark blemishes on the sun) they seem to correspond with warm periods in Europe and North America.
Solar Activity
Changes in output of solar energy.

23. 1.Geographic changes (tectonic plates) in Earth’s land and water bodies cause changes in climate.
2. Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit and the tilt of Earth on its axis are other Earth motions that affect global climates.
Earth Motions

24. Tectonic plate movements, orbit, and tilt.
Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit and the tilt of Earth on its axis are other Earth motions that affect global climates.
Earth Motions
Tectonic plate movements, orbit, and tilt.

26. Human Impact on Climate Changes
Greenhouse Effect
Global Warming

27. The greenhouse effect is a natural warming of both Earth’s lower atmosphere and Earth’s surface.

28. As a result of increase in carbon dioxide levels, as well as other greenhouse gases, global temperatures have increased. This is called global warming.
Global Warming
Warmer surface temperatures increase evaporation rates, which absorbs radiation.