Chapter Three Notes ClimateEnvironmentResources

What is the difference between weather and climate? Weather – the short-term changes in the air for a given place and time. Weather – the short-term changes in the air for a given place and time. Climate – The region’s average weather conditions over a long period. Climate – The region’s average weather conditions over a long period.

Sun and Location Different locations receive different amounts of sunlight. Different locations receive different amounts of sunlight. –The more sunlight a place receives, the warmer it will be.

Earth’s shape The Earth is wider in the middle because it is a sphere (a circular shape) The Earth is wider in the middle because it is a sphere (a circular shape) –For this reason, the lower latitudes (areas close to the equator) get more sun. The lower latitudes are warm year round. The lower latitudes are warm year round. –The areas near the poles (higher latitudes) get less sun. They are cool year round They are cool year round

Wind and water Wind and water are constantly on the move and can change temperatures as they move. Wind and water are constantly on the move and can change temperatures as they move. –Prevailing winds are winds that blow in the same direction over large areas of Earth. –Current Wind Map

Air and weight and wind Even though you can’t feel it, air has weight. Even though you can’t feel it, air has weight. –Cool air is heavy. Warm air is lighter. –When air gets warmer, it gets lighter and rises. Cooler air moves in to take its place. This creates wind.

Wind Video Ru2RRk Ru2RRk

Ocean Currents Large streams of surface seawater Large streams of surface seawater

Large bodies of water Water heats and cools more slowly than land does. Water heats and cools more slowly than land does. This creates areas with a milder climate. This creates areas with a milder climate. –Milder climates do not get very hot or very cold.

Wind, Water Storms An air mass is a large body of air. An air mass is a large body of air. Most storms occur when two air masses of different temperature or moisture content collide. Most storms occur when two air masses of different temperature or moisture content collide. –This is called a front.

Fronts Can produce Can produce –Rain. –Snow. –Thunderstorms. –Blizzards. –Tornados – small, rapidly twisting funnel of air that touches the ground