1. Chapter 3
Climates of the Earth

2. Earth – Sun Relationships
I. Section I
Earth – Sun Relationships

3. A. Climate & Weather Weather & Climate are not the same!
Climate is what you expect & weather is what you get!

4. B. Earth’s Tilt and Rotation
Axis – imaginary line running from pole to pole
Earth rotates around this
Makes one rotation every 24 hours
Makes Day & Night
Earth is tilted at approx. 23 ½ degrees
Tilt affects climate of a place

5. C. Earth’s Revolution The Earth’s journey around the sun
One revolution = 365 ¼ days
Causes seasons
Seasons are reversed north & south of the equator
Example: It is now summer in Australia
Around March 21, the sun’s rays fall directly on the Equator – equinox – equal night – daylight & nighttime hours are equal.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the first day spring

6. D. The Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn
Know this section well (pg )!
Solstice – Sun’s direct rays are shining on one of the two tropic lines
23 ½ N – Tropic of Cancer – Summer in N. Hemisphere – June 21st
23 ½ S – Tropic of Capricorn – Winter in N. Hemisphere – December 22nd

7. E. The Poles Dramatic differences in sunlight here!
6 months = constant sunlight
6 months = little to no sunlight

8. F. The Greenhouse Effect
Look at diagram on pg. 70
Earth’s atmosphere is like the glass in a greenhouse
Traps the sun’s warmth even in the cold weather
Global Warming – rise in atmospheric CO2 levels
Caused by human activities
Burning of coal, oil,
and natural gas

9. Factors Affecting Climate
II. Section II
Factors Affecting Climate

10. A. Latitude & Climate Low Latitudes High Latitudes Middle Latitudes
Between the Tropic Lines (near the equator)
Called the Tropics
High Latitudes
Polar Areas
North of the Arctic Circle
South of the Antarctic Circle
Middle Latitudes
Between the Tropic of Cancer & Arctic Circle
Between the Tropic of Capricorn & Antarctic Circle
Most variable weather exists here
Draw a diagram that includes the labels above

11. Latitude Diagram
Low
Middle
High

12. B. Elevation and Climate
Elevation influences climate, regardless of the level of latitude
Increased altitude = air thins
Thin air =
less heat retained

13. C. Wind & Ocean Currents
Wind & water combine w/the effects of the sun to influence weather & climate
Wind Patterns
Winds blow in fairly consistent patterns – prevailing winds – map on pg.60
Coriolis Effect – causes winds to blow diagonally
The Horse Latitudes
Why are they called this???
Doldrums – windless areas near the Equator
Ocean Currents
Just like the wind, cold and warm streams of water (currents), move through the oceans
El Nino
Periodic change in the pattern of ocean currents & water temperature

14. D. Landforms & Climate Landforms alter climate Example: Mountains
KNOW DIAGRAM ON PG. 64!!!
Windward
Leeward
Rain shadow
Draw a diagram on your notes that includes the terms above!

15. World Climate Patterns
III. Section III
World Climate Patterns

16. A. Climate Regions Tropical Climates
Two – Tropical Rain Forest (hot & wet throughout the year) & Tropical Savanna (dry winters & wet summers)
Found in the low latitudes (Tropics)

17. Climate Regions (cont.)
Dry Climates
Two types – desert (dry w/ sparse plant life) & steppe (dry, largely treeless grasslands)
Occur in many parts of the world

18. Climate Regions (cont.)
Mid-Latitude Climates
Four - Marine west coast, Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical, Humid Continental
Read pg. 68 – What climate do we have?

19. Climate Regions (cont.)
High Latitude Climate
Two – Subarctic & Tundra
Brrrrrrr!!!
Permafrost found here

20. Climate Regions (cont.)
Highlands Climate
Elevation can determine climate regardless of the latitude!
Mts. = cooler

21. B. Climatic Changes
Climate changes over time because of many reasons – many which are unknown!
Humans and how they
treat the Earth have a
lot to do with it!