Climate

Climate Climate – the pattern of temperature and precipitation typical of an area over a long period of time. –Temperature –Precipitation There are five major factors that affect climate. –Latitude the distance from the equator –Altitude how far you are from sea level –Topography (surface features like mountains) –Oceans and Large Lakes ( including currents) –Earth’s winds

North Pole, Alaska, USA

Latitude Temperatures at and around the equator are fairly constant throughout the year. –Constantly HOT! Moving north or south away from the equator you begin to experience more seasonal changes (winter, spring, summer, fall) Along with this comes temperatures that vary more.

Latitude One relationship between latitude and climate is: –The further away from the equator you go (North or South) the cooler the climate becomes Average Temperatures in North Pole, AK –Summer – 60 o F –Winter – -7 o F Areas furthest from the equator (around the poles) also have fairly constant weather. –Constantly COLD!

Reviewing Predictions Look back at your prediction. Write down if your prediction was supported or not supported by our discussion. Include also which factor affected the climate here.

Denver, Colorado, USA

Altitude Temperature typically drops 3.5 o F for each 1,000 feet higher in elevation. Altitude in Denver, CO – 5,280 ft above sea level. –Average summer temp – 73 o F –Average winter temp – 31 o F Baltimore, MD has the same latitude as Denver, but different altitude (446 ft above sea level) –Average summer temp – 80 o F –Average winter temp – 38 o F

Reviewing Predictions Look back at your prediction. Write down if your prediction was supported or not supported by our discussion. Include also which factor affected the climate here.

Seattle, WA vs. Wenatchee WA Cascade Mountains

Topography Topography – surface features including mountain ranges, valleys, etc. Seattle vs Wenatchee –Approximately the same latitude –Approximately the same altitude Seattle: 3” rain/mo average, 40” rain/year Wenatchee: 0.75” rain/mo average, 9” rain/year

Topography Why? –Winds carry warm wet air from the Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound into Seattle. –As the warm wet air flows up the Cascade Mountains it cools (remember that temperature drops as altitude increases!) –When the air cools, the water in the air condenses to form clouds. –When the clouds get to heavy, it rains in Seattle.

Topography –As the air currents continue to move east, the rain continues to fall. –Once past the Cascade Mountains, the air comes back down and warms up. –There is very little moisture left in the air by the time the front reaches Wentachee, so there is very little rain! –This is called a “Rain Shadow”

Reviewing Predictions Look back at your prediction. Write down if your prediction was supported or not supported by our discussion. Include also which factor affected the climate here.

Trondheim, Norway

Oceans and Large Lakes Surface currents are caused by winds, but the currents affect the winds as well. Winds pick up moisture as they blow across warm water currents, bringing warm, moist air to coastal regions. Cool water currents cause the winds blowing over them to cool, bring cool dry air to coastal regions.

Oceans and Large Lakes The climate of the area is affected by whether the winds cross warm or cool ocean currents. Trondheim, Norway –Average Summer Temp – 56 o F –Average Winter Temp – 30 o F Warm water of the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift Currents give Trondheim moderate temperatures even though they are on the same latitude as Greenland which is completely covered in ice!

Reviewing Predictions Look back at your prediction. Write down if your prediction was supported or not supported by our discussion. Include also which factor affected the climate here.

Buffalo, NY vs Albany, NY Lake Erie

Oceans and Large Lakes After crossing the Great Lakes, weather fronts pick up moisture from the water in the lakes. The additional moisture in the air brings additional precipitation to areas that are located along the lake. Average precipitation per month –Buffalo – 3.7” per month –Albany – 2.9” per month Between 12/24/06 and 12/29/06 Buffalo received 83” of snow!

Reviewing Predictions Look back at your prediction. Write down if your prediction was supported or not supported by our discussion. Include also which factor affected the climate here.

Earth’s Winds Prevailing Winds –Winds that blow more often from one direction than the other. These winds carry the moisture of the oceans and large lakes to the continents. In the United States, weather fronts typically move from west to east because of the wind.

Other Factors that May Affect Climate Volcanic Eruptions –Large amounts of volcanic ash released into the air may affect the climate for a little while. –The ash is moved across the globe by the prevailing winds. –Ash in the air may cause some sunlight to be filtered out. –As a result, the climate may become temporarily cooler.

Other Factors the May Affect Climate El Nino –When waters in the Pacific become warmer than normal, it is called El Nino. –El Nino brings temporary climate change, bringing drought and fire in the West Pacific, and floods to Peru. (see video guide for more info) Greenhouse Gases –Extra carbon dioxide in the air from cars, factories, and other human activity traps some of Earth’s heat in, causing climates to slowly warm up.

What are the Five Major Factors that Affect Climate?

What are 3 additional factors that may affect climate?