1. Weather and Climate Ms. Twardowski 8 Green Central Middle School

2. Weather vs. Climate (write these definitions) Weather: is the daily condition of the atmosphere at a specific time and place. (What is happening outside RIGHT NOW?) Weather: is the daily condition of the atmosphere at a specific time and place. (What is happening outside RIGHT NOW?) Climate: is the AVERAGE weather in a specific location over TIME (at least 10 years). Climate: is the AVERAGE weather in a specific location over TIME (at least 10 years).

3. So… Green = Yes/True Red = No/False One day, in Dover, DE, in 2013, the high temperature on January 31 st was 65F. This is a much warmer temperature. One day, in Dover, DE, in 2013, the high temperature on January 31 st was 65F. This is a much warmer temperature. This is an example of a CLIMATE change. This is an example of a CLIMATE change.

4. So… Green = Yes/True Red = No/False Over the past 12 years, the average temperature in July, in Dover, DE, has increased by 2 degrees F. Over the past 12 years, the average temperature in July, in Dover, DE, has increased by 2 degrees F. This is an example of a CLIMATE change. This is an example of a CLIMATE change.

5. Things that are included in climate: Temperature Temperature Precipitation Precipitation Number of days of sunshine Number of days of sunshine Air Pressure Air Pressure Humidity Humidity

6. Things that influence climate: ( Write these down) Latitude Latitude Proximity (nearness) to water Proximity (nearness) to water Proximity to land - inland Proximity to land - inland Elevation - altitude Elevation - altitude Nearness to mountains Nearness to mountains Ocean Currents Ocean Currents Living in an urban area (city) Living in an urban area (city) El Nino and La Nina El Nino and La Nina Prevailing Wind Directions Prevailing Wind Directions

7. Latitude Latitude is a measure of degrees north and south of the equator. Latitude is a measure of degrees north and south of the equator. The equator is 0 degrees latitude. The equator is 0 degrees latitude. Regions closer to the equator receive more solar radiation. Regions closer to the equator receive more solar radiation. The Sun shines overhead in the “tropics” – for a great portion of the year. The Sun shines overhead in the “tropics” – for a great portion of the year. In the arctic zones, the Sun shines at an angle – spreading a little bit of light over a very large area. In the arctic zones, the Sun shines at an angle – spreading a little bit of light over a very large area. The United States is in the “mid-latitude” region. The United States is in the “mid-latitude” region.

8. Elevation/Altitude (going UP in the atmosphere) Temperature decreases at higher elevations Temperature decreases at higher elevations Windward: is the side of the mountain that the wind is blowing towards (air rises, cools, condenses and drops precipitation). Windward: is the side of the mountain that the wind is blowing towards (air rises, cools, condenses and drops precipitation). Leeward: side where air falls, heats up, and dries the land. Leeward: side where air falls, heats up, and dries the land.

9. Nearness to water/land Near water (Coastal): wetter climate, but more stable (doesn’t change much). Near water (Coastal): wetter climate, but more stable (doesn’t change much). Inland: weather extremes/unstable (hot in summer, cold in winter, severe storms, etc.) Inland: weather extremes/unstable (hot in summer, cold in winter, severe storms, etc.)

10. Large Cities/Urban (Concrete Jungle) Parking lots, buildings and streets absorb large amounts of heat. Pollution can trap this heat and cause higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas. Parking lots, buildings and streets absorb large amounts of heat. Pollution can trap this heat and cause higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas.

11. So… Green = Yes/True Red = No/False Coastal areas (near water) have a more stable climate. Coastal areas (near water) have a more stable climate.

12. So… Green = Yes/True Red = No/False Inland areas have a climate with more weather and temperature extremes (really hot and really cold, severe storms, etc.) Inland areas have a climate with more weather and temperature extremes (really hot and really cold, severe storms, etc.)

13. El Nino/La Nina El Nino: periodic warming in sea temperatures across the central and east equatorial Pacific. Occurs every 3-5 years. Affects GLOBAL weather patterns. El Nino: periodic warming in sea temperatures across the central and east equatorial Pacific. Occurs every 3-5 years. Affects GLOBAL weather patterns. La Nina: the cooling phase of El Nino. La Nina: the cooling phase of El Nino.

14. Wind & Ocean Currents Jet Stream: wind currents move Heat Energy around the globe. Jet Stream: wind currents move Heat Energy around the globe. Gulf Stream: ocean currents (water) move Heat Energy around the world, too. Gulf Stream: ocean currents (water) move Heat Energy around the world, too. *creates different air masses.* *creates different air masses.*

15. Winds The world’s winds move heat energy around the globe. The world’s winds move heat energy around the globe.

16. Summarize: Ocean Currents Looking at this picture, why is England warmer than other countries at its same latitude?