Climate – describes the typical yearly weather for a location.

3 Main Climates (Koeppen Climates) Tropic Zone- Hottest. Located between 0 latitude (equator) & 23.5 N or S Latitude. – 23.5 N Latitude = Tropic of Cancer (KNOW THIS!) – 23.5 S Latitude = Tropic of Capricorn (THIS TOO!) Temperate – Warm. Located between 23.5 and 66.5 Polar – Coldest. Located at north and South Poles. (66. 5 and 90 Latitude)

Reasons for temperature difference: Areas close to equator receive more of Sun’s Energy (Heat/Light), so warmer. Areas Further from equator receive less of Sun’s Energy, so colder. SUN’S RAYS 

FACTORS that AFFECT CLIMATE 1) Latitude – – distance north or south of equator. – The further away from the equator, the colder it is 2) Elevation – – The distance above the surface. – The higher you go, the colder it is.

FACTORS that AFFECT CLIMATE 3) Proximity to water – Close to water means precipitation (rain…) – Warm water means warmer temps & rain – Cold water means colder temps & snow, sleet, freezing rain – Far away from water means dryer weather.

FACTORS that AFFECT CLIMATE 4) Position to mountains – Windward side (where wind is coming) is wet. – Leeward side is dryer. – In America, West side is wetter than East side of mountains. m/Rain_Shadow.shtml m/Rain_Shadow.shtml Dry Air descends Desert Warm air rise AIR COOLS, Condenses Windward Side LeeWard side

Coriolis Effect- the spinning of the Earth causes air and ocean currents to deflect to the right. nimation.gif nimation.gif terc/content/visualizations/es1905/es1905page0 1.cfm terc/content/visualizations/es1905/es1905page0 1.cfm wilson.edu/~physics/PhysPhotOfWeek/ Coriolis/CoriolisEffect.html wilson.edu/~physics/PhysPhotOfWeek/ Coriolis/CoriolisEffect.html

Diagrams of Coriolis & Winds

Diagrams of Coriolis & Winds In Northern Hemisphere: Lo pressure moves counterclockwise, Hi pressure moves clockwise. Winds move opposite in the Southern Hemisphere.

Primary Cause of Wind: Sun’s Energy (Heat or Light) Warms Earth’s surface. Water cools slower than land causing Sea Breeze at night  Land heats faster than water causing Land Breeze During day  SEA BREEZE LAND BREEZE

Seasons – caused by Earth’s tilt (23.5 degrees) as it revolves around sun. More Direct Rays Less Direct Rays

Seasons: Definitions Equinox: daytime = night time Solstice: Maximum Day or Night 21, Autumnal Equinox(Fall) 21, Spring Equinox 21, Winter Solstice 21 SummerSolstice Longest Night Shortest Day Longest Day, Shortest Night

Diagram of Seasons Refer to diagram of seasons: days.com/Images/800px- North_season.jpg&imgrefurl= eliocentric%2520view%2520of%2520the%2520seasons.htm&h=79 &w=143&sz=40&tbnid=0VzQmCf9AtkJ:&tbnh=79&tbnw=143&prev =/images%3Fq%3Ddiagram%2Bof%2BEarth%2527s%2Bseasons&hl =en&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=2 days.com/Images/800px- North_season.jpg&imgrefurl= eliocentric%2520view%2520of%2520the%2520seasons.htm&h=79 &w=143&sz=40&tbnid=0VzQmCf9AtkJ:&tbnh=79&tbnw=143&prev =/images%3Fq%3Ddiagram%2Bof%2BEarth%2527s%2Bseasons&hl =en&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=2 Selection/wp/s/Season.htm Selection/wp/s/Season.htm

Climate Change- drastic changes in climate that affects life on Earth. Studying climate change from: 1)Tree Rings – shows change in rain/nutrients 2) Pollen layers – in rock/soil. Thick layers mean warm and wet. Too thin means too hot/cold. 3) Ice (glaciers, ice caps) – Layers of ice record past air qualities, pollution, oxygen amount,..

Causes of Climate Change 1) Earth’s position to sun. Sometimes we are closer. Every 11,500 years, Earth is closer in July or January alternating Earth’s axis WOBBLES. (tilt of 23.5 degrees) changes over long periods of time. 2) Solar Energy varies.– The sun’s energy varies in 11 year cycles, and other longer cycles.

Causes of Climate Change 3)Volcanic Activity – Too much volcanic activity blocks sun and leads to ice ages. 4) Movement of Continents – Position of continents move, changing type of weather and climate by changing ocean/air currents 5) Manmade Causes? Pollution, destruction of environment, etc…

Global changes Short Term: – El Nino (warmer winters), – La Nina (colder winters): – Pacific Ocean currents change direction, causing huge changes in winter weather.

El Nino/La Nina

Global changes 1)Global warming: 1)Greenhouse Hypothesis- Human activities add greenhouse gases to atmosphere, trapping more heat 1)Green house gases: Gases that trap heat from leaving Earth. 2)Ex: Carbon Dioxide, water vapor, methane, and more 2)Ozone depletion by CFC’s (we’ve already discussed this)

Greenhouse effect

Greenhouse & global warming