1. Solar, Weather and Ocean Systems 8 th grade

2. Climate – refers to the average year-after-year conditions of temp., precipitation, winds, and clouds Climate – refers to the average year-after-year conditions of temp., precipitation, winds, and clouds Windward – side of the oncoming wind hits Windward – side of the oncoming wind hits Leeward – downward side of mountains Leeward – downward side of mountains Tropical zone – area near the equator Tropical zone – area near the equator Polar zone – area near both poles Polar zone – area near both poles Temperate zone – area between tropical and polar zones Temperate zone – area between tropical and polar zones Marine climates – climate of some coastal regions with fairly warm winters and cool summers Marine climates – climate of some coastal regions with fairly warm winters and cool summers Continental climates – climate of the centers of continents with cold winters and warm or hot summers Continental climates – climate of the centers of continents with cold winters and warm or hot summers

3. Climate vs. Weather Weather is the day to day condition of the area at a certain place and time. Climate is the year-after-year events in a particular area. The amount of snow and rain an area receives determines how dry or wet its climate is for that particular region.

4. The main factors that affect precipitation are prevailing winds and mountains. Prevailing winds – winds move lg. air masses air masses may be warm or cool, dry or humid warm air carries more water than cool air rising cools off water comes out cool air falling usually dry amount of moisture in air depends on where it came from Precipitation

5. Precipitation continued Mountain ranges influence precipitation humid air from ocean hit windward side of mountain and rain or snow falls when air reaches leeward side water all gone so air is cool and dry, considered to be in a rain shadow

6. Temperature Factors that affect temperature: Latitude Altitude distance from lg. bodies of water ocean currents

7. Latitude Cold climate 66.5 o – 90.5 o N/S Warm/hot summers, cool/cold winter – 23.5 o /66.5 o N/S Has direct sun, nearly direct sun year round, climate warm

8. Altitude Temperature decreases as altitude rises Highland areas all over have cool climate no matter the latitude

9. Oceans/lg. lakes affect temperature Water heats up more slowly, cools down more slowly Winds from ocean keep coastal regions from extreme hot, cold West coasts of N. America, S. America, Europe have mild marine climate (warm winter, cool summer) Center of continents too far from ocean to be affected – have continental climate (get extreme temp. – winter cold, summer warm, hot)

10. Marine climates influenced by ocean currents Warm ocean currents carry warm water from tropics to poles Cold currents from poles bring cold water toward equator Surface water warms/cools air above it, which then moves over nearby land and warms or cools temp. to land it touches Best known current is Gulf Stream, gives Ireland and southern England a mild, wet climate

12. Changes in currents and winds greatly affect climate Most famous is El Nino – is an abnormal climate event that occurs every 2 – 7 years in Pacific Ocean Causes lg. sheet of warm water to move eastward toward S. America Conditions may last 2 yrs. Before normal winds, currents return Smaller areas affected by inland mountains, lakes, forests, other natural features Said to have own microclimate

14. Lab - Microclimate Temperature Question: How does the temperature differ at different heights on different surfaces? Hypothesis: Materials:meter stick3 thermometers tapetimers Procedure: 1.Tape a thermometer to the meter stick at 0cm, 50cm, and at 100cm. 2. You will be going outside to the grass field, the parking lot, a rocky area and the concrete sidewalk outside B building.

15. Lab - Microclimate Temperature cont. 3. At each location hold the meter stick with the thermometers perpendicular to the ground for 1 minute to allow the thermometers to stabilize. Then take a reading and record the temperature in the Data Table. 4 After the temperature at all locations has been taken return to the room and untape the thermometers from the meter stick. Place all material on the lab table.

16. Data Table temp0 cm50 cm100 cm grass concrete rock asphalt Results: Conclusion: 1.Graph the results putting all surfaces in one graph. Use a different color for each surface. temp0 cm50 cm100 cm grass concrete rock asphalt

17. Lab - Microclimate Temperature cont. 2. On which surface and at which height was it the hottest? the coolest? 3. On which surface was there the biggest change? 4. Based on your graph how does altitude effect the temperature? Does the surface make a difference?