1. Factors Creating the World’s Climate
Climate and Weather
Factors Creating the World’s Climate

2. Weather Conditions
Weather: condition of the atmosphere at a particular time
Includes:
Temperature
Precipitation
Humidity (how much water is in the air)
Weather changes because of air masses, or large areas of air that have the same temperature and humidity
Boundary between two masses is called a front
A warm humid front usually means a thunderstorm

3. Climate Elements
Climate: the average condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time.
Includes:
Average temperature
Average precipitation
Amount of change from one season to another
Usually is calculated over a period of 30 years

4. Five Factors Affecting Climate
Five factors that affect climate are:
SUN/LATITUDE
OCEAN CURRENTS
PREVAILING WINDS
PEOPLE
LANDFORMS/ELEVATION
NatGeo Video: Climate and weather

5. Weather or Climate? It snowed a lot in January this year.
Summers are usually hot and rainy and winters are cool but dry.
Climate
It is usually hot and dry here in the summer.

6. Nebraska receives an average rainfall of 30 cm per year.
Climate
Last night we received 6 inches of snow.
Weather
It’s a beautiful day—warm and sunny.

7. Climate is what you expect.
Weather is what you get!

8. Factor #1: SUN/LATITUDE
The Sun/Latitude
The original source of climate
Warms the air, water, and land for all life forms
Latitude impacts the angle the sun hits the planet

9. Factor #2: Ocean Currents
The movement of water in the oceans impacts climate
Warm and cold currents, like the Gulf Stream, can alter a location’s climate significantly

10. A look below the ocean’ surface exposes diverse landforms; including undersea mountains, deep canyons, and broad abyssal plains. Due to this varied undersea landscape, in combination with the varied transitions to coastal land, water circulation in the oceans will naturally change in response to subterranean contours.

11. Figure 2.2 reveals that all the oceans are connected, and that large currents of water travel throughout the oceans. For the most part, warm water currents move from the equator toward the poles, while cold water sinks in locations at higher latitudes.

12. Factor #3: WIND Wind Movement of warm and cold air
Prevailing winds come from one direction and blow most of the time
Storms are created by the movement of wind and water around the Earth
Ocean and Wind Circulation Interactive

13. Factor #4: People People Greenhouse Effect Deforestation
Warming of the Earth (Interactive)
Global Warming 101 (3:04)
Deforestation
Cutting down or destroying forests

14. Factor #5: Elevation & Landforms
Elevation can impact climate – the higher the elevation, the colder it gets
Rain Shadow
Example

15. World Climate Regions

16. World Climate Regions
Climate region: a group of places that have similar temperatures, precipitation levels and changes in weather
Dry Climates
Humid Temperate Climates
Humid Equatorial Climates
Tundra or Ice Climates
Humid Cold Climates

17. Dry Climates Little to no rain or snow Both hot and cold temperatures
Plant life includes:
Shrubs
Cacti

18. Humid Temperate Climates
Cool winters and warm summers
Ample rainfall
Plant life includes:
Mixed forests with evergreens
Leafy trees

19. Humid Equatorial Climates
Found near the equator
High temperatures
Rainfall all or most of the year
Plant life includes:
Tropical plants and rainforests OR
Grasslands with trees

20. Tundra or Ice Climates
North of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle
Long, cold winters and short summers
Plant life includes:
Mosses OR
No vegetation

21. Humid Cold Climates Cold winters and warm summers Rain and snow
Plant life includes:
Evergreen forests OR
Deciduous/leafy forests

22. Extreme Weather
Thunderstorm: a storm with lightning and thunder, usually producing gusty winds, heavy rain, and sometimes hail
Tornado: a smaller storm than a cyclone, with winds powerful enough to reach 300 mph
Cyclone: a storm with rotating winds
Called a typhoon in the Eastern Hemisphere

24. Hurricane: A strong storm with swirling winds and heavy rains
How Stuff Works: Hurricanes
Hurricane Paths

26. Extreme Weather
Flood: When water covers an area of land that is usually dry (often after a cyclone)
Blizzard: A heavy snowstorms with strong winds and very cold temperatures
Drought: When the amount of rainfall drops far below the average amount, usually accompanied by a heat wave (unusually high temperatures over a period of time)
Today’s scientists are working to lessen the effects of extreme weather on humans and predict big storms

28. ANY QUESTIONS???