1. Climates of the Earth
Chapter 3

2. Earth-Sun Relationship
Section 1

3. Climate v. Weather Climate Weather
Term for weather patterns that an area typically experiences over time
Condition of the atmosphere in one place during a limited period of time.

4. Earth Tilt and Rotation
Earth also rotates on an axis
1 rotation ever 24 hours
Rotates West to East, turns one hemisphere then the other toward the sun, alternating them between the light of day and the dark of night.
Axis- imaginary line running from the north pole to the south through the planets center
Because of the tilt, not all places on the earth receive the same amount of direct sun light at the same time.
The tilt affects the temperature
How hot or cold a place is.
Measured in degrees on a set scale
More sunlight= higher temps
Less Sunlight = Colder temps

6. Revolution
The earth takes 1 revolution, or trip around the sun, every 365 days
Revolution + Tilt = changes in angle and the amount of sun that reaches places of the Earth
Seasons
Seasons are reversed North and South of the Equator
Equinox- day where daylight and nighttime hours are equal. Around March 21st

7. Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
Tropic of Cancer- Northern most point of the earth
When the sun directly hits the Tropic of Cancer the north experiences its longest days of the summer = Summer Solstice
Tropic of Capricorn- Southern most point
When the sun is directly on the Tropic of Capricorn it marks the shortest days in the North = Winter Solstice

8. The Poles
The most dramatic variation of the amounts of sunlight happen at the poles
The pole angled toward the sun receives constant sunlight while the pole angled away receives little to no sunlight
North Pole- March 20- September 23rd is constant day light, while the south has none
South Pole-September23-March 20th Constant day light, while the north has none

9. Greenhouse Effects
Only part of the sun’s radiation passes through the earth’s atmosphere while the rest is reflected back into space
The radiation that makes it through warms the earth and water.
The earth acts like a greenhouse because it traps some of the sun’s energy from escaping the earth to quickly
this helps w/ growing plants, even in cold weather.
With out this earth would be too cold for most living things

11. Greenhouse Effect If too much heat escapes, plants will freeze
If too much heat is trapped, plants will wilt and dry out
This is similar to how the earth works

12. Global Warming
Belief that a rise in global temperatures has occurred due to human activity
Examples: burning of coal, oil, and natural gas
Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere that traps more heat

13. Factors Affecting Climate
Section 2

14. As latitude ________, the average annual temperature _________.
How does latitude
affect climate?
As latitude ________, the average
annual temperature _________.
increases
decreases
Temperature
0° Latitude °

15. Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers. _______ winters.
How does closeness to a large
body of water affect climate?
Water __________ the temperature.
_______ summers. _______ winters.
moderates
Cooler
Warmer
Cities A & B are located
at the same latitude.
City B is closer to a large body of water.
Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

16. Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________
How does the
Orographic Effect
affect climate?
Windward Side: ___________
Leeward Side: _____________
cool, moist
warm, dry

18. As elevation _________, the average annual temperature __________.
How does elevation
affect climate?
As elevation _________, the average
annual temperature __________.
increases
decreases
Temperature
Elevation

19. Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate
How do ocean currents
affect climate?
Warm Currents: warmer climate
Cold Currents: cooler climate

21. World Climate Patterns
Section 3

22. Tropical Climate: Wet Hot and wet Average temperature of 80 degrees
About 80 in. of rain yearly
Nutrient rich soil
Abundant wildlife
Rain forests, example: Amazon River basin
Areas with this climate: South America, Caribbean, Asia, Africa

23. Tropical Climate: Dry Dry winters, wet summers
High year-round temperatures
Fewer trees: Savannas
Areas with this climate: Africa, Central America, South America, Asia, and Australia
Sparse Plants: Deserts

24. Dry Climate Desert: Steppes: Sparse plant life
Rainfall less than 10 inches
1/3 of Earth’s total land
Sahara is 1/3 of the African Continent
Steppes:
Border deserts
Treeless grasslands
10 to 20 inches of rain yearly
Found in North America, South America, Africa, and Australia

25. Mid-latitude Climate Marine West Coast Mediterranean Humid Subtropical
Cool summers/Cool, damp winters
Mediterranean
Mild, Rainy winters/hot, sunny summers
Humid Subtropical
Short, mild winters/year-round rain
Humid Continental
Warm, hot summers/cold winters

26. High-Latitude Climate
Lack of direct sunlight allows for freezing temperatures throughout the year
Limited vegetation
Subarctic and Tundra

27. Highland Climate High mountain areas
Higher the elevation, coolers the temps
Mixed forests at the base
Meadows with higher up