Ch. 14 Sec. 1 Climate

 Climatology Study of the Earth’s climate and factors that change it Climate is the long term weather patterns over a given time  Describes annual variations of temp, precip, wind, and others  Information is compared with past data

Normals  Data used to describe weather data on an annual least a 30 year period Not used to describe normal weather patterns, just average values

Climates  Variations throughout the globe (, latitude, land areas, moisture) that affect climate Climate of Minneapolis compared to Houston

Zones  Different parts of the earth receive different amounts of the suns rays  Tropics: Equator – 23.5 o N. & S. latitudes Warm year round  Temperate: 23.5 o o N. & S. latitudes Temperature is moderate  Polar: - the poles N. & S. Latitudes Cold temperatures

Other effects: Topographic  Bodies of water Water heating up and cooling more slowly Large bodies of water affect climate Cooler summers, warm winters for coasts  Mountains Orographic lifting causes climates to differ One side wet & humid, other dry & cooler

Ch. 14 Sec. 2 Climate Classification

Koeppen Classification System  Developed by Russian-born Germ climatologist Wladimir Koeppen  Based on monthly values of... 1) Temperature 2) Precipitation  Also distinguished natural vegetation  Designed a map to classify

Koeppen Classification System

Classification System  Tropical climate: High temperatures 600 cm of rain Along w/ mT air, formations of rain forests

Classification System  Dry climate: 30% of earth’s area, largest cT air mass, desert areas Low precipitation and vegetation High evaporation

Classification System  Mild climates: Generally on the coasts Warm, muggy, high precipitation areas Can receive west air from ocean  Warm winter and cool summers

Classification System  Continental climates: Warm summer Cool summer Subarctic Climate battleground: rapid, violent changes in weather

Classification System  Polar climates Coldest regions on earth (warmest month <10 o C) Precipitation low: clouds hold less moisture High elevations

Microclimates  Localized area that differs from surrounding region  Heat Island Concrete buildings create a warmer climate than rural areas Large areas of asphalt and buildings