Climate

Weather and Climate Weather – day to day events; conditions of the atmosphere at a particular time and place Weather – day to day events; conditions of the atmosphere at a particular time and place Climate – the average, year after year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area Climate – the average, year after year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area

Main Factors that Determine Climate Precipitation – amount of rain and snow each year Precipitation – amount of rain and snow each year Determines how wet or dry a climate isDetermines how wet or dry a climate is Temperature Temperature

Precipitation Affected by: Affected by: Prevailing winds – directional winds that blow in a regionPrevailing winds – directional winds that blow in a region Air masses can be warm, cool, dry or humid Air masses can be warm, cool, dry or humid Amount of water in the air mass influences rain and snow Amount of water in the air mass influences rain and snow

Precipitation Also affected by: Also affected by: Presence of MountainsPresence of Mountains Mountain ranges in the path of prevailing winds affects where precipitation falls Mountain ranges in the path of prevailing winds affects where precipitation falls Leeward – downwind; cool and dry Leeward – downwind; cool and dry Windward – side oncoming wind hits Windward – side oncoming wind hits Rain or snow will fallRain or snow will fall

Temperature Can be affected by several different factors….. Can be affected by several different factors…..

Latitude Distance from the equator, measured in degrees Distance from the equator, measured in degrees Generally, climates farther from the equator are coolerGenerally, climates farther from the equator are cooler Remember latitude lines are “flat” and run north and south of the equator. Remember latitude lines are “flat” and run north and south of the equator.

Altitude The troposphere is the lowest level of the atmosphere, where weather occurs The troposphere is the lowest level of the atmosphere, where weather occurs Highland areas have cool climates, regardless of latitudeHighland areas have cool climates, regardless of latitude Water Bodies: Because water heats up and cools down more slowly, winds from the ocean keep coastal regions from reaching extremes Water Bodies: Because water heats up and cools down more slowly, winds from the ocean keep coastal regions from reaching extremes

Ocean Currents Streams of water within the ocean that move in regular patterns Streams of water within the ocean that move in regular patterns Warm currents carry warm water from the tropics to the polesWarm currents carry warm water from the tropics to the poles Cold currents bring cold water from polar zones to the equatorCold currents bring cold water from polar zones to the equator The surface of the water warms or cools the air above it, which moves over nearby land The surface of the water warms or cools the air above it, which moves over nearby land

Temperature Zones Tropical Zone: near the equator between 23.5o north and south Tropical Zone: near the equator between 23.5o north and south Polar Zones: 66.5o to 90o north and south Polar Zones: 66.5o to 90o north and south Temperate Zones: between 23.5o and 66.5o north and south Temperate Zones: between 23.5o and 66.5o north and south