1. Climate

2. Weather vs. Climate Weather – the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. – Short-term: Hours and days – Localized: Town, Region or State Climate – the average, long-term, conditions of an area. – Two Factors: Temperature Precipitation

3. Temperature Factors that influence temperature: 1.Latitude 2.Altitude 3.Distance from large bodies of water 4.Ocean currents

4. Latitude The distance north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. – Farther North or South you go the colder the temperature gets. Sun’s rays hit the earth with more of an angle and reflect more of the sun’s energy – angle of insolation. – 3 Climate Zones based on Latitude: Tropical Zone Polar Zone Temperate Zone

5. Angle of Insolation

6. Tropical Zone The area near the equator, between 23.5° N and S latitude. – Receives direct or nearly direct sunlight all year round. Warm climate Tropical Zone

7. Temperate Zones The areas between 23.5° - 66.5° N or S latitude. – Temperatures range from warm summers to cold winters. Temperate Zone

8. Polar Zones Extend from 66.5° – 90° N or S latitude. – Receives the least amount of solar radiation and therefore have the coldest climates. Polar Zone

9. Altitude The elevation above sea level. In the case of high mountains, altitude is a more important climate factor than latitude. – The higher up you go in the troposphere the colder the atmosphere gets.

10. Distance from Lg. Bodies of Water Marine Climates – Water warms up more slowly than land; it also cools down more slowly. Winds from the ocean keep coastal regions from reaching extremes of hot and cold. – Warmer winters and cooler summers Continental Climates – Have more extreme temperatures due to the distance away from oceans. Winters cold, summers hot.

11. Ocean Currents Streams of water within the oceans that move in a regular pattern. – Warm water from the tropical zone moves toward the polar zones. – Cold currents from the polar zones moves toward the equator.

12. Factors Affecting Precipitation The amount of rain and snow that falls in an area each year is determined by how wet or dry the climate is. Two Factors: 1.Prevailing winds 2.Mountains

13. Prevailing Winds Weather depends on the movement of air masses from place to place by prevailing winds. – Different air masses carry different amount of water vapor. Warm air can carry more water vapor than cold. Cold air masses are usually dry. – Where an air mass develops also determines the amount of water vapor an air mass carries. Marine = wet Continental = dry

14. Mountains A mountain range in the path of prevailing winds can also influence where precipitation falls. – Mountains act as a barrier as warm air rises, water vapor condenses and rain falls. Windward = the side of the mountain facing the wind – Receives lots of rainfall Leeward = the side of the mountain facing away from the wind – Receives little rainfall (Rain shadow)

15. Windward vs. Leeward

16. Climate Change Throughout Earth’s history, climates have gradually changed. – Ice Ages – glacial episodes Periods where huge sheets of ice, glaciers, covered large parts of Earth’s surface. Last ice age ended about 10,500 years ago. – Interglacials Periods of warmer weather between ice ages. – It is believed that we are currently in an interglacial right now.

17. Causes of Climate Change Natural factors: 1.Continental drift - the movement of landmasses. 2.Changes in the sun’s energy output – energy output changes with an 11 yr cycle Sunspots – cooler regions of the sun 3.Earth’s Position Relative to the Sun Angle at which Earth’s axis tilts and the shape of Earth’s orbit around the sun change slightly over long periods of time.

18. Causes of Climate Change Human Factors: 1.Greenhouse Effect = gases in the atmosphere trap solar energy and keep the Earth warm; water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane. Too much of these gases make the atmosphere warmer than needed = global warming. – Burning of fossil fuels add carbon dioxide to the air. 2.Ozone depletion = the loss of the protective ozone layer in the stratosphere that filters harmful UV radiation from the sun. Chlorofluorocarbons, a group of chlorine compounds, were to blame for the breakdown of the ozone.

20. Antarctica