1. Average Distribution of Incoming Solar Radiation

2. Albedo

3. Atmospheric Heating Radiation from Earth’s surface
Earth reradiates radiation (terrestrial radiation) at the longer wavelengths
Longer wavelength terrestrial radiation is absorbed by
Carbon dioxide
Water vapor

4. Atmospheric Heating
Heating of the atmosphere is termed the greenhouse effect

5. Greenhouse Effect

6. Temperature Measurement
Daily maximum and minimum
Other measurements
Daily mean temperature
Daily range
Monthly mean
Annual mean
Annual temperature range

7. Temperature Measurement
Isotherms
Lines connecting points of equal temperatures on a map
Used to show distribution of air tempertures
Temperature gradient – amount of temperature change per unit of distance

8. Isotherms

9. Controls of Temperature
Land and water
Land heats more rapidly and to higher temperatures than water
Water has high specific heat – amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance 1 degree Celsius

10. Differential Heating of Land and Water

12. Mean Monthly Temperatures for Two Locations in Canada

13. Controls of Temperature
Altitude –higher altitudes have lower temperatures

14. Controls of Temperature
Geographic position
Windward coast
Leeward coast

15. Controls of Temperature
Cloud cover and albedo
Clouds have high albedo
Clouds cool air during the day, keep heat in at night

16. Temperature Measurement
Human perception of temperature
Anything that influences the rate of heat loss from the body also influences the sensation of temperature
Important factors are
Air temperature
Relative humidity
Wind speed
Sunshine

17. Controls of Temperature
Temperature variations
Receipt of solar radiation is the most important control

18. World Distribution of Temperature
Temperature maps
Isotherm – a line connecting places of equal temperature
Temperatures are adjusted to sea level
January and July are used for analysis because they represent the temperature extremes

19. World Distribution of Temperature
Global temperature patterns
Temperature decreases poleward from the tropics
Isotherms exhibit a latitudinal shift with the seasons
Warmest and coldest temperatures occur over land

20. World Distribution of Temperature
Global temperature patterns
In the Southern Hemisphere
Isotherms are straighter
Isotherms are more stable
Isotherms show ocean currents
Annual temperature range
Small near equator
Increases with an increase in latitude
Greatest over continental locations

21. World Mean Sea-Level Temperatures in January

22. World Mean Sea-Level Temperatures in July