4-1 Role of Climate

What is climate and what is weather? A. Climate refers to the average year after year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region. It causes a wide range of environmental conditions that shape our communities. B. Weather is a day to day conditions of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. 1. Caused by the many factors. a. Trapping of heat b. Latitude c. Winds and ocean currents d. Amount of precipitation e. Shape and elevation f. Solar energy

Greenhouse Effect A. Gases and water vapor, trap heat energy and maintain Earth’s temperature range. B. A natural insulating blanket of gases that trap sun light from escaping into space. C. Solar energy penetrates the atmosphere and is converted to heat energy and then some radiates back to space, but most stays trapped.

3. Effect of latitude on climate A. Because the Earth is titled on its axis this causes the suns rays to strike different surfaces of the Earth at various angles. (causes Earths different zones) B. The more direct the strike the hotter the temperature and climate is in that particular area. C. Equator receives direct suns rays so it stays warm and the poles receive less direct so they remain cold.

DIFFERENT ZONES CREATED BY EARTHS AXIS 4. Polar zone A. Located in the areas around the North and South poles, climate is always very cold, freezing because the angle of the strike zones are at a very low. 5. Temperate zones A. Sit between the polar zones and the tropic zones, because this zone is affected mostly by the changing angle of the sun the climate zone ranges from hot to cold seasons.

6. Tropical zone A. Located between 23.5º North and 23.5º South latitudes. B. Receive the most direct strike sunlight year round and is warm, always.( near equator) 7. Heat Transfer A. Because the Earth’s surface is heated unequally it drives the wind and ocean currents, which transport heat throughout the biosphere. Hot air rises, cool air sinks, this upward and downward movement of air creates winds. 8. Upwelling – Is a process where cool waters in the pole regions sink and run parallel on oceans bottoms then rise again in warmer regions.

Low Pressure Zones – ( associated most with rainfall) Where air is warmed and then rises, it lifts the atmosphere upward, releasing pressure at the Earth's surface. When air gets cool, the water vapor condenses to form clouds..

High Pressure Zones – (Associated with clear, sunny skies) Air falling putting more pressure on the Earth.

9. Land masses and wind A. Orographic Effect – Landmass, such a hills and mountains can affect wind patterns and interfere with the movement of air masses. 1. A mountain range can cause moist air to rise, cools and condenses, forms clouds bringing precipitation. 2. Once air mass reaches the far side of the mountain, the moisture is lost resulting in a dry climate. (Further away from the coast.)

1. Weather (dentroclimology) 2. Age 3. Grew on a slope . Dentrochronology A. Study of tree rings . 1. Weather (dentroclimology) 2. Age 3. Grew on a slope 4. Insect infestation 5. Fire