Elements of Climate

Weather  How would you describe the weather today?  How would you describe the climate?  Are they the same?  Are they always?

Weather vs. Climate  It is important to remember:  Weather is the conditions in the atmosphere TODAY.  Climate is the average conditions over a long period of time.

Biomes  Bio = life. (Biology – the study of life)  Biome – a region with similar plant and animal life Naturally, the climate of a region will have an effect on what grows and lives there. Naturally, the climate of a region will have an effect on what grows and lives there.  What are some examples of a region and its plant and animal life?

Factors Affecting Climate  Why is the climate of one place different from another place?  What causes these differences?  Let’s brainstorm for a minute…

Wind Currents  Wind is created by heating air rising and the cooler air filling that ‘vacuum’.  Globally, it is the wind that brings: the cold air from the poles the cold air from the poles the warm air from the equator the warm air from the equator Factors Affecting Climate

Ocean Currents ‘Rivers’ flowing in the ocean  Warm currents from the equator Moderate temperatures and bring rain Moderate temperatures and bring rain  Cold currents from the poles Chill the air and limit rainfall Chill the air and limit rainfall What effect are the two ocean currents having on the United States west coast ?? Factors Affecting Climate

Zones of Latitude  Increasing distance from the equator = Decreasing temperatures  Three zones of Latitude Polar zones, Mid Latitudes, Tropics Polar zones, Mid Latitudes, Tropics Where do you think these zones begin and end? Factors Affecting Climate

Elevation  Less dense air holds less heat soooooo…  As you go up in altitude, the air thins and it cools About 3.5 degrees (F) for every 1000 ft About 3.5 degrees (F) for every 1000 ft Factors Affecting Climate

Topography  Rainfall levels on opposite sides of a mountain tend to be very different.  Wind forced up a mountain rains on one side  The other side ends up very dry Factors Affecting Climate

Climate Types What type of map is this? What patterns can you find?

Climate Types  Tropical Wet – (Brazil) Heavy year round rain Heavy year round rain rainforests rainforests  Marine West Coast – (Seattle, WA) Moderate rainfall year round Moderate rainfall year round Mixed Forest Mixed Forest  Humid Subtropical – (East Texas) Moderate rainfall in fall and spring Moderate rainfall in fall and spring Mixed Forest Mixed Forest  Humid Continental – (New York) True four seasons True four seasons Mixed Forest Mixed Forest

Climate Types  Highland – (Colorado) Mountain region, all climate and biomes vary by elevation Mountain region, all climate and biomes vary by elevation  Subarctic – (Southern Alaska) Moderate rainfall, usually snow Moderate rainfall, usually snow Needle leaf trees Needle leaf trees  Desert – (Arizona or Antarctica) Less than 10” of rain per year Less than 10” of rain per year Cactus or shrubs Cactus or shrubs

Global Warming  The earth is in a warming cycle.  The question is: How much of the warming is caused by the release of greenhouse gases. How much of the warming is caused by the release of greenhouse gases. These trap heatThese trap heat CO2 released from burning of fossil fuels.CO2 released from burning of fossil fuels.  Estimates of 2-5 degrees (C) increase What changes can be expected? What changes can be expected?