1. Weather & Climate --chapter 3--

2. I. Factors Affecting Climate
Weather?
Climate?

3. What happens to the sun’s energy when it reaches Earth?
Solar energy & Heat energy?

4. The Greenhouse Effect

5. Global Warming
Causes?

7. Air/Atmospheric Pressure
What happens when you climb in elevation?
High vs. Low?
Warm vs. Cold?

9. Air Pressure Zones
Purpose?
What drives them?

10. Global Wind Belts Wind always flows from pressure to
Global Energy Balance?
Prevailing Winds?
Doldrums?
Westerlies?
Front?
Jet Streams?

11. Ocean Currents Oceans affect climate? Global Energy Exchange?
Warm vs. Cool currents?

12. II. Weather Factors Precipitation? Evaporation? Humidity?
Condensation?

13. Elevation & Mountain Effects
Temp. drops 3.5° / 1,000 feet of elevation.
Orographic Effect?

14. Land & Sea Breezes
Wind = HIGH TO LOW PRESSURE!

15. Storms

16. III. Climate & Vegetation Patterns
Factors that affect climate:
Temperature
Precipitation
Elevation
Continental or Maritime location
Latitude

17. Tropical Humid Climate
Temps. & Precip.? Why?
65 to over 450 inches/year

19. Tropical Wet & Dry Climate
Just north & south of Trop. Humid
Distinct rainy & dry seasons
More seasonal changes than Trop. Humid
Supports savannas: grasslands w/scattered trees & shrubs
Monsoon influence

20. Tropical Wet and Dry Climate

23. Arid Climate Latitude? Pressure Zone? Precip = <10 inches/yr.
Largest Dry Desert = Sahara

25. Semiarid Climate (Steppe)
Transition zone betw. Arid & Humid
Short grass vegetation
Trees are rare…only found along river banks
Poor farming practices & overgrazing turn some steppes into deserts

27. Mid-Latitude Climates (Temperate)
1. Mediterranean Climate
Between 30° - 40° North & South
Western/Southern coastal areas of Europe
West coast of continents w/cool currents
Avg. Winter temps = 50s

29. 2. Humid Subtropical Climate
Eastern side of continents w/warm ocean currents
Hot/humid summers w/mild winters
Large temperate forests (deciduous & coniferous)

31. 3. Marine West Coast climate
Heavily influenced by oceans
Found on west coast of continents in upper middle latitudes
Mild temps all year round

33. Marine West Coast Climate

34. 4. Humid Continental climate
Found in areas that receive both warm & cold air
Hot, humid summers w/cold winters
Interiors & east coasts of upper-middle latitude continents
4 distinct seasons

36. High Latitude Climates
1. Subarctic:
Found in high latitudes of Europe, Asia & N. America
Long, dark, cold winters
Temps below freezing for 6 months
Short summers can have warm temps
Greatest temp. range
Supports large boreal (evergreen) forests

38. 2. Tundra climate: Long, cold winters
Temps only above freezing during short summers
Supports tundra vegetation—mosses, herbs, low shrubs
Water & soil below surface remains frozen all year --> permafrost

40. Tundra Climate

41. 3. Ice Cap climate Cold temps & snow all year round
Found in polar regions
Precip = <10 inches!

42. Ice Cap Climate

43. 4. Highland climate Temp changes w/increased elevation
Temp drops 3.5 degrees every 1,000 ft.

44. Highland Climate