CLIMATE

What is Climate? Climate - the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general over a long period

Köppen Climate Classification System A - Tropical Moist Climates: all months have average temperatures above 18° Celsius. B - Dry Climates: with deficient precipitation during most of the year. C - Moist Mid-latitude Climates with Mild Winters. D - Moist Mid-Latitude Climates with Cold Winters. E - Polar Climates: with extremely cold winters and summers.

Köppen Climate Sub Categores

Factors Affecting Climate Temperature Factors 1. Latitude Average Yearly Temperature Yearly Temperature Range 2. Altitude 3. Ocean Currents 4. Marine Vs. Continental Rainfall Factors 1. Latitude 2. Mountains - Orographic Precipitation

Latitude - Average Yearly Temperature Most direct rays = highest temp As latitude increases, average yearly temperatures decreases Avg. Yearly Temp. Least direct = lowest temp. 0° 90 ° Latitude

Latitude - Yearly Temperature Range Equatorial areas receive the direct rays of the Sun for most of the year. Therefore, the yearly temperature does not change much. Low Latitudes Temperature Mid Latitudes High Latitudes JFMAMJJASOND Month

Latitude - Yearly Temperature Range As latitude increases, yearly temperature range increases Yearly Temperature Range 0° 90 ° Latitude

Altitude - Average Yearly Temperature Range Altitude - the height of an object above sea level. Low average yearly temperature range High average yearly temperature range

Altitude - Average Yearly Temperature As altitude increases, average yearly temperature decreases Average Yearly Temperature Altitude

Ocean Currents Ocean currents move warm water from the equator towards the poles. …and cold water from the poles back to the equator to be heated again.

This graph shows the average monthly temperatures for two cities, A and B, which are both located at 41ºN latitude. Why is there a difference in the average yearly temperature range for the two cities? Because City A is located inland (continental) and City B is located near water (marine)

Marine vs. Continental Sea or land locations affects temperature ranges. land areas - warmer summers and cooler winters. Large temp range Coastal areas - cooler summers and milder/warmer winters. Small temp range

Rainfall Factors - Latitude Uneven heating of the Earth produces global wind & pressure belts. These belts determine the wetness or dryness of an area. Low Pressure - rising air creates precipitation High Pressure - sinking air creates a lack of precipitation

Latitude Continued What latitudes are areas of low pressure? What is the climate like there? What latitudes are areas of high pressure? 0°, 60°N, 60°S High rainfall 30°N, 30°S, 90°N, 90°S Low rainfall

Orographic Precipitation LEEWARD WINDWARD 4.Condenses Windward 5. Precipitation 6. Sinks 3. Cools 7. Compresses 2. Expands rises 1. Rises 8. Warms Warm air Arid/Dry Humid/Moist

Windward Vs. Leeward Rainfall occurs on the windward side of the mountain where the air is rising. Cool & Wet It is dry on the leeward side of the mountain where the air is sinking. Warm & Dry

El Nino A warming of the surface water of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean, occurring every 4 to 12 years and causing unusual global weather patterns. El Nino brings heavy rain to western South American and drought to eastern Australia and Indonesia. Animation

Lake Effect Snow The air moving over the water needs to be cooler than the water. The surface of the lake can’t be frozen

Lake Effect Snow Water begins evaporating off of the surface of the lake into the air. Fetch - distance over open water The greater distance the wind blows over the warm water, the greater the convection /evaporation.

Warm air over water begins to Lake Effect Snow CLOUD FORMATION Warm air over water begins to CONDENSES COOL EXPAND RISE

Lake Effect Snow In some locations, wind blowing from a lake onshore is forced to climb up hills creating the orographic effect

Areas Affected by Lake Effect