1. Weather and Climate Part II

2. Precipitation
Humidity is the amount of water vapor contained in the atmosphere . What is Precipitation? All forms of water that fall from the atmosphere onto earth’s surface.

3. The Mechanics of Precipitation
Precipitation forms when the air temperature changes.
Stages of Precipitation
Warm, less dense air absorb moisture
When the air cools, it can not retain all of its water vapor and excess water vapor condense to liquid.
Tiny water droplets gather together and form clouds.
Precipitation occurs when water collects in excess in the clouds.

4. Types of Precipitation
Convectional
Orographic
Frontal

5. Convection Precipitation
Occurs when hot, humid air rise to the earth’s surface and cools, thereby losing the ability to hold much water.
Commonly in the Equator.
Produces nourishing rainfalls that feed tropical forests.

6. Orographic Precipitation
Or0graphic precipitation occurs when warm moist air is
forced upward when passing over high land forms.
Common in seacoasts where ocean winds blow toward coastal mountains.
Experience both rain and snowfalls.
Also forms rain shadows.

7. Frontal Precipitation
Most common kind of precipitation
Occurs when two front or air masses with different temperature meets.
Warmer air is force upward by heavy cooler air.

8. Precipitation and Climate
Temperature and precipitation are the major factors
affecting weather and climate.

9. Other Effects on the Climate
Nearby Bodies of Water
Elevation
Nearby Landforms

10. Effects of Nearby Bodies of Water
Land and water absorb and store heat at different rates.
large bodies of water such as oceans or large lakes affect the surrounding climates.
Continental climates: great areas of continents in the north hemisphere away from the affects of oceans have particular climates
extreme weather
Humidity and precipitation varies.

11. Why does snow exist on the Equator in Tanzania, Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro all year round?
Elevation
Air temperature decreases at a rate of about 3.5 degrees F for every 1,000 feet in elevation.

12. Effects of Nearby Landforms
Micro climate is a small variation of climate within a region causes the absorption of heat by concrete and pavement

13. Changing Climate Global Warming
Increase amounts of carbon dioxide and other substances in the earth’s atmosphere.
Results of Global Warming
Melts polar ice caps.
Rise ocean levels causing flooding.
Increased precipitation in some areas and decline in others.