Global Convection Currents 6.E.2B.3

Global convection currents are set up in the atmosphere because of the unequal heating of Earth’s surfaces.

Atmospheric Convection Regions There are 3 atmospheric convection areas influence the climate regions on Earth and make up the major climate zones: 1. Tropical Region 2. Temperate Region 3. Polar Region

Tropical Regions Begin at the equator and extend to about 30* latitude.

Temperate Region Extends from the tropical regions to about 60* latitude

Polar Regions Extends from the temperate regions to the poles (90* latitude).

Label your map Polar Tropical Convection Regions: Global Winds 1 ____________ 1 ____________ Temperate 2 3 Tropical 3 2 1

Global Winds 6.E.2B.3

Global Winds Global winds provide a predictable pattern for the movement of air in each climate region and effect the direction of weather systems on Earth.

Types of Global Winds Global winds are named after the direction they come from: Polar Easterlies Westerlies Trade Winds Jet Streams

Polar Easterlies Blow northeast to west in the polar region moving cold polar air from the poles toward the west. Extended knowledge

Westerlies Blow from west to east in the temperate regions carrying moist air. Extended knowledge

Trade Winds Blow from east to west in the tropical region moving warm tropical air. Extended knowledge

* Trade winds and westerlies affect the direction of tropical weather systems (hurricanes)

Label your map Polar Easterlies Polar Tropical Global Winds Convection Regions: Polar Easterlies Polar ____________ 1 ____________ Temperate 2 Westerlies 3 Tropical Trade Winds 3 2 1

Jet Streams Fast moving ribbons of air that move from west to east in the Northern Hemisphere. The polar jet stream brings down cold polar conditions from the north.

Random fun fact Airplanes ride on jet streams to increase their speed and decrease the amount of fuel they use.

Global wind belts occur between climate regions because of the characteristics of the convection currents in those regions

Convection currents are created in the atmosphere because warm air rises, cools, then falls. draw

Coriolis effect When global winds appear to curve due to convection cells and the rotation of the Earth on it’s axis, this phenomena is called the Coriolis Effect. http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/weather-and-climate/air-pressure-and-wind.htm

Ocean Surface Currents 6.E.2B.3

Ocean Surface Currents Circulate heat energy Circulate warm and cold ocean waters in convection patterns

Air masses that originate over regions of the ocean are moved with currents Influence the weather and climates of the landmasses nearby

Currents and Climates The Gulf Stream influences the eastern Atlantic shoreline of the United States by bringing warm, moist air.

The cold California current influences its western Pacific shoreline by bringing cold, moist air. “climate types” brain pop http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/weather-and-climate/waves-and-currents.htm

Heating the Earth

Heating the Earth The driving energy source for the heating of the Earth is solar energy. The rotation of Earth on its axis along with differences in the heating of Earth impact weather patterns and climate conditions.

Heat Energy Land absorbs heat energy and releases heat energy quickly. Water absorbs heat energy and releases heat energy slowly. The differences in these heating patterns causes convection currents to occur.

Bringing it back to Berkeley!

Hot summers and cold winters. Latitude Moncks Corner is located at 33.2° N latitude and is in the temperate region. What does this mean about our climate? Hot summers and cold winters.

Elevation Moncks Corner has an elevation of approximately 52 ft. Because of it’s low elevations our weather is mainly… WARM!

Distance from Water HIGH!! Moncks Corner is part of a coastal area because it is close to water. This causes results in our relative humidity to be… HIGH!!

West to East Global Wind Belts Berkeley County is located in the Prevailing Westerly Wind belt, so our weather moves from… West to East

Ocean Currents Warm water Tropical Storms towards us Berkeley County is affected by Gulf Stream because it brings… Warm water Tropical Storms towards us