Earth Science Notes Climate

Climate Climate – a pattern of weather that occurs in an area over a long period of time

Factors Affecting Climate Latitude of the Earth – the closer to the equator the more direct the sunlight is Tropics – between 23.5oN and 23.5oS latitude Temperate – 23.5 – 66.5o Polar 66.5o – 90o

Factors Affecting Climate Large bodies of water – water heats up and cools down more slowly than land Coastal regions are cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter

Factors Affecting Climate Ocean currents – warm currents warms the land they pass

Factors Affecting Climate Altitude - the higher up it is the less air particles there are to absorb the radiation from the sun

Factors Affecting Climate Mountains – keep moister air on one side

Factors Affecting Climate Cities – air pollution can trap heat

Climate Types Koppen’s System of Climate Classification Examines temperature, precipitation, and plant types Six Climate Types Tropical Mild Dry Continental Polar high elevation

Organisms’ Response to Climate Types Adaptations – response to climate Structural Fur – mammals are insulated from cold temperatures Thick fleshy stems – hold moisture

Organisms’ Response to Climate Types Adaptations – response to climate Behavior Hibernation – period of reduced activity during cold months Estivation – similar to hibernation, occurs during periods of intense heat

Climate Changes Seasons – periods of climate change caused by the amount of solar radiation an area receives Caused by the Earth's tilt toward the sun Tilted toward = summer Tilted away = winter Tropics experience little change High altitudes near pole experience great change

Climate Changes

Climate Changes El Nino – an occasional climate event in which strong pacific winds weaken and sometimes reverse.

What Is an El Niño? The waters off the west coast of South America are normally very cold for their latitudes. At Lima, Peru (12°S), ocean temperatures vary from about 16°C in the winter to about 20°C in the summer. This cold current of water extends nearly to the equator before turning to the west. Normally, for a period of just a few weeks around Christmas each year, this cold water is replaced by a warm current. This event is called El Niño, Spanish for "the child." Every 2 to 7 years, however, this warm water event lasts much longer and is much more pronounced. Then it is called a major El Niño event.

El Nino – Spanish for “The Nino”

Climate Changes Effects of El Nino Ocean temps near Peru increase Jet stream is altered, changing wind and precipitation patterns around the world Africa and Australia may experience droughts La Nina – winds blowing across the pacific are stronger than normal

Effects of El Nino Top is under normal conditions Bottom is under El Nino conditions

Summary How does climate relate to weather? What factors affecting Earth’s Climate? What are the different types of climates? What are some causes of climate change? El Nino / La Nina