Intro to WeatherIntro to Weather Clip Week 4 GLEs 6, 10, 17

Weather the condition of the air at a certain time and a certain place.

Climate The weather of a place averaged over a long period of time.

What are two major factors of weather and climate? Precipitation Temperature

Precipitation – the amount of water that falls the amount of water that falls Liquid water = rain Frozen water = snow or sleet or hail Rain Clip

Humidity The amount of moisture in the air

What is the most important factor in determining the climate of a place? Location of a place determines its climate North PoleTropics

Four Types of Climates Tropical Temperate Subarctic Polar

TROPICAL A climate that is usually very warm all year. Warmest climates – nearest equator

SUBARCTIC Climates closer to the North Pole Cooler climates – mountains; temperatures are lower the higher the elevation

TEMPERATE climates between tropical and subarctic climates with moderate temperatures. places near an ocean have a milder climate

POLAR The coldest climate Further from the equator

DISASTER A disaster is an event that happens suddenly and causes great losses. Forces of nature such as storms and earthquakes can cause NATURAL DISASTERS. People can get hurt or even killed during these disasters.

Tornadoes Tornadoes often occur in the South or Midwest. Tornadoes happen when wind spins. It looks like a funnel cloud and touches the ground. They move fast. They can spin up to 300 mph.

What’s bad about a tornado? They destroy homes and cities. They can kill or seriously injure people. They form quickly and strike fast. There is little to no warning a tornado is coming. They are sometimes called “Killer Storms.”

Hurricanes Threaten places near the coast. Hurricanes are storms that form over the ocean. They must have at least 75 mph winds to be considered a hurricane. Hurricanes usually strike the Gulf Coast or Atlantic states.

What’s bad about hurricanes? They can seriously hurt people. Weathermen can tell when a hurricane is coming several days before it strikes. Hurricane Katrina hit in It caused great damage along the Gulf Coast. New Orleans was flooded. Many people died or were left homeless.

Earthquakes They happen when part of the Earth’s crust moves. Some earthquakes are small. Some are big. It feels like the earth is shaking.

What’s bad about earthquakes? There is no warning for earthquakes. They can cause buildings and bridges to fall down. They can cause gas lines to rupture and start fires. Many people can be killed or seriously injured.

Volcanoes Openings in the earth’s surface. Usually on mountains. Many volcanoes erupt. They shoot out lava and ash.

What’s bad about volcanoes? Lava is melted rock. It’s red-hot liquid. Lava and ash can bury buildings or people in only a few seconds. Lava oozes along a little at a time. It cannot be stopped.

Floods Floods happen when water rises and covers areas it normally doesn’t. Heavy storms and hurricanes can cause flooding. People who live along rivers have to worry about flooding. (Lots of rain causes rivers to flood.) Hurricane Katrina caused levees to break and parts of New Orleans and all St. Bernard Parish to flood.

Wild Fires Wild fires are fires that burn out of control. Sometimes people start fires. Old cigarettes Campfires Fires can start naturally. Lightning strikes Wildfires burn fast and cause people to lose their homes.

How do natural disasters affect people? People along the east and Gulf Coast prepare for hurricanes. Evacuate Prepare Rebuild People in the Midwest and South deal with tornadoes. Build shelters Sirens Tornado drills.

Natural Disasters Natural disasters sometimes destroy homes and businesses. They can affect the economy. Hurricanes in the Gulf causes oil prices and gas to go up. They can’t get the oil. Flooding destroys crops. Wildfires destroy forests.