+ CLIMATE

+ An area’s pattern of weather over a long period of time. * someone who studies climate professionally is a Climatologist

+ Weather vs. Climate

+ There are six basic climate types found around the world

+ TROPICAL A lot of direct sun light HIGH average temperatures Located close to the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer (northern hemisphere) and the Tropic of Capricorn (southern hemisphere) Includes areas of heavy rainfall Ex: Rain Forests of South America Includes areas of little rainfall Ex: Savannas of Africa

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+ ARID Aka Dry, or desert Very little rainfall (less than 25 cm per year) Includes areas with very high temperatures Ex: Sahara Desert in North Africa Includes areas with cool to cold temperatures Ex: Gobi Desert in Western Asia

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+ TEMPERATE Aka Oceanic Hot summers, mild winters, moderate rainfall Along coastline Ex: South Eastern USA  South Carolina Ex: Along the Mediterranean Sea  Italy Ex: Calfornia

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+ CONTINENTAL Wide temperature range  warm summers, cold winters Moderate rainfall Northern hemisphere In the interior of Continents and on their eastern coasts Ex: most of North America Ex: Eastern Europe

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+ ALPINE Named after the Alps (a mountain range in Europe) Aka- Mountain Climate Climate found in high elevations Colder, dense forest, snow Ex: Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, California and Nevada Ex: Andes Mountains, Peru

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+ POLAR Very cold temperatures *every month of the year averages below 50 degrees F Closest to 0 degrees N, and 0 degrees S Few people live in polar climates Ex: northern Canada Ex: Siberia Ex: North and South Poles

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+ KOPPEN CLIMATE SYSTEM

+ How does the ocean affect climate? Ocean Currents- the continuous flow of ocean water in a general direction Surface Currents- the top section of ocean currents, usually driven by global winds. (the most known surface current is the Gulf Stream)

+ GULF STREAM

+ Example of how the ocean affects climate… The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics across the Atlantic Ocean to western Europe Ex: Winters in Paris, France are much warmer than in Montreal, Canada, even though both cities are on the same latitude.

+ Comparing Today’s Forecasts PARIS- 55 degrees and sunny. 6 mph winds. 85% humidity MONTREAL- 34 degrees. Light snow. 15 mph winds. 81% humidity