1. Climate

2. What is climate? Long term weather pattern. Determined by Latitude
Precipitation

3. Classification Tropical -
Between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn

4. Tropical Wet: Usually closest to the equator Warm Temperatures
Large amounts of rain year-round

5. Tropical Savannah 20-30 degrees N & S of Equator Wet and Dry seasons:
Rainy in the Spring and Summer,
Dry in the Fall and Winter

6. Mid Latitude

7. MidLatitude Mediterranean Usually 35 degrees N and S
Western edge of continent
Mild wet winters
Warm dry summers
California, Southern Africa, Mediterranean Sea region

8. MidLatitude Humid Subtropical 20-40 degrees N or S
Eastern side of continent near the ocean
Wet summers
Shorter growing season than Med. climate

9. MidLatitude Marine West Coast Western edge of continent
Wind off water moderates temperature
Mild summers
Cool winters
Northwestern US, western Europe

10. Severe MidLatitude Humid Continental Eastern side of continent
Short summers
Long, cold winters
Eastern North America, East and Central Europe, East Asia

11. Severe MidLatitude Sub-Arctic long, cold, dark, winter
Short, cool summer
7 months below freezing
Ice from September to May

12. Polar Climate Tundra 1 month above freezing Very little vegetation
Near Arctic Circle, Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, Russia

13. Polar Climate Ice Cap 9% of earth’s surface
Warmest month averages below 0
Very little precipitation – less than 5 inches per year

14. Any Latitude Dry Climates Desert Semi arid
Less than 10 inches precipitation per year
Can be cold or hot
Semi arid
Edges of deserts
Grasses, but not enough rain for trees, so usually dry

15. Highland or Mountain 30 cooler for every 1000 feet up
Snow on north face of mountains above 12,000 ft, Colorado, July, 2009

16. Factors that Control the Climate
Latitude
Determines intensity of sunlight
Low=warm
Mid=temperate
High=polar/cold

17. Factors that Control the Climate
Continentality
Large landmasses affect climate
Far from water, more severe hot and cold (Omaha)
Near water, moderate climate (Houston, London)
Located near the ocean, London experiences mild temperatures and ample precipitation throughout the year.
Omaha, Nebraska's large temperature range reflects its continental location.

18. Factors that Control the Climate
Elevation
Higher is colder

19. Factors that Control the Climate
Mountain Barriers
Blocks precipitation and wind
Create rainshadows

20. Factors that Control the Climate
Ocean currents
Air off ocean can be warm or cold, depending on current
Moderates temperature (marine west coast)

21. Hurricanes Begin in warm tropical waters as a tropical depression
Move in a counter clockwise direction
Camille strongest to hit US
Galveston storm of 1800 resulted in an estimated dead

22. Types of Precipitation
Convectional
Hot air rises
Its temperature drops
Now the air is cold, and it sinks
Air masses with circulation can cause hail

23. Types of Precipitation
Orographic
Windward side of mountain receives rain
As the air cools, it can’t hold moisture
Eventually moisture is released
Leeward side is dry
rainshadow

24. Types of Precipitation
Cyclonic or Frontal
Moving air masses collide
Air mass = air with same temperature and humidity

25. Climate