Climate

What is climate? Long term weather pattern. Determined by Latitude Precipitation

Classification Tropical - Between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn

Tropical Wet: Warm Temperatures Large amounts of rain year-round

Savannah 20-30 degrees N & S of Equator Wet and Dry seasons

Mid Latitude

MidLatitude Mediterranean Western edge of continent Mild wet winters Warm dry summers S. California, S. Africa, Mediterranean area

MidLatitude Humid Subtropical Eastern side of continent Wet summers Shorter growing season than Med. climate

MidLatitude Marine West Coast Western edge of continent Wind off water moderates temperature Mild summers Cool winters Northwestern US, western Europe

Severe MidLatitude Humid Continental Eastern side of continent Short summers Long, cold winters Eastern North America, central Europe, Asia

Severe MidLatitude Sub-Arctic long, cold, dark, winter Short, cool summer 7 months below freezing Ice from September to May

Polar Climate Tundra 1 month above freezing Near Arctic Circle, North America and Asia

Polar Climate Ice Cap 9% of earth’s surface Warmest month averages below 0 Very little precipitation – less than 5 inches per year

Any Latitude Dry Climates Desert Semi arid Less than 10 inches precipitation per year Can be cold or hot Semi arid Edges of deserts Grasses, but not enough rain for trees

Highland or Mountain 30 cooler for every 1000 feet up Snow on north face of mountains above 12,000 ft, Colorado, July, 2009

Factors that Control the Climate Latitude Determines intensity of sunlight Low=warm Mid=temperate High=polar/cold

Factors that Control the Climate Continentality Large landmasses affect climate Far from water, more severe hot and cold (Omaha) Near water, moderate climate (Houston, London) Located near the ocean, London experiences mild temperatures and ample precipitation throughout the year. Omaha, Nebraska's large temperature range reflects its continental location.

Factors that Control the Climate Elevation Higher is colder

Factors that Control the Climate Mountain Barriers Blocks precipitation and wind Create rainshadows

Factors that Control the Climate Ocean currents Air off ocean can be warm or cold, depending on current Moderates temperature (west coast marine)

Hurricanes Hurricanes Begin in warm tropical waters Move heat/energy toward poles Clockwise in Northern hemisphere Camille strongest to hit US

Types of Precipitation Convectional Hot air rises Its temperature drops Now the air is cold, and it sinks Circulating air masses can produce hail

Types of Precipitation Orographic Windward side of mountain receives rain Cold air drops moisture Leeward side is dry rainshadow

Types of Precipitation Cyclonic or Frontal Moving air masses collide Air mass = air with same temperature and humidity

Climate