1. Earth-Sun Relationships Climate & Weather

2. Earth-Sun Relationships Climate and Weather Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific time. Climate refers to the average weather conditions over many years. Earth’s tilt on its axis in relation to the sun affects temperatures from day to night. The rotation of Earth around the sun takes one year; this revolution affects temperatures from season to season.

3. Answer this question What factor distinguishes weather from climate?

4. Answer: Time distinguishes weather from climate. Weather is the condition of the atmosphere in one place over a short period, while climate refers to the average weather conditions as measured throughout many years.

5. Answer these questions: What are the average weather conditions outside our school building that are measured over years called? What is the condition of the atmosphere outside our school building today called?

7. The Seasons

8. The Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect allows trapped atmospheric gases to radiate heat that warms the Earth. Under normal conditions, the atmosphere naturally provides enough insulation to promote life on Earth. The radiation the Earth receives from the sun must equally balance with the heat radiated back into space to avoid temperature extremes in order to support life. Earth-Sun Relationships

9. Greenhouse Gas video

10. Factors of Weather & Climate

11. Factors Affecting Climate Latitude, Climate, and Elevation Earth’s rotation around the sun creates predictable climate patterns that correspond with latitude zones. The low latitudes include the area between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, including the Equator; all receive nearly direct sunlight and have warm to hot climates. The high latitudes include the polar zones, which generally have very cold climates. The midlatitude zones between 30° and 60° experience variable weather with generally temperate climates. Elevation influences climate at all latitudes.

13. QUESTION: The mid-latitude zone has a temperate climate. What is a temperate climate?

14. Answer: (It is not an extreme climate, either hot or cold. It is a mild climate with seasonal weather changes.)

15. Winds and Ocean Currents Winds occur when sunlight heats Earth’s atmosphere and surface unevenly; wind movement is critical for distributing the sun’s energy around the planet. Ocean currents also distribute energy; cold ocean currents circulate cold water into warmer water and warm currents move away from the Equator flowing into cooler water. Wind and water work together to affect weather, creating precipitation that both affects and is affected by temperature. Factors Affecting Climate

16. Analyzing the Effects of El Niño -Warm and cold ocean currents move in patterns and the temperature of ocean currents near land affects the climate of that landmass. -El Niño is defined by prolonged warming in the Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures when compared with the average value. The U.S NOAA definition is a 3-month average warming of at least 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) in a specific area of the east-central tropical Pacific Ocean. -“El Nino” video What areas of Earth does El Niño affect?

19. Landforms and Climate Climates are affected by the presence or absence of certain physical features, such as mountains or large bodies of water. Large bodies of water are slower to heat and cool, so they help keep temperatures around them moderate. Mountain ranges push air upward on the windward side, which cools and releases precipitation. After the precipitation is released, the air becomes warm and dry as it moves down the leeward side, resulting in a process that produces hot, dry areas with little precipitation called the rain shadow effect. Factors Affecting Climate

21. Climate Regions & Biomes

22. World Climate Patterns Climate Regions and Biomes The world is organized into four climate zones: tropical, dry, multi-latitude, and high-latitude. A biome is an ecological community defined by distinctive plant and animal groups. Tropical climates are found in or near the low latitudes. Dry climates are semi-arid (steppe) or arid (desert). Midlatitude climates have variable weather patterns. High-latitude climates have freezing temperatures all year.

25. Mid-latitude Zones

26. Mid-latitude zones -Humid sub-tropical – short, mild winters; year round rain -marine west coast – cool summers, and cool, damp winters -Mediterranean – mild, rainy winters and dry, hot summers -humid continental – long, snowy winters and short, cool summers

27. Climate Change Climate change refers to major changes in the factors used to measure climate over an extended period of time. Indicators of climate change include rising global temperatures and severe weather changes, such as intense heat waves and severe weather events. Scientists study the interrelationships among ocean temperatures, greenhouse gases, wind patterns, and cloud cover to find clues for causes of climate change. World Climate Patterns