1. Chapter 4: Weather and Climate Notes

2. Weather: condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time (short term)
Climate: average conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds and clouds in an area (long term)

3. What Causes Climate? Temperature (cold or warm climate)
Precipitation (dry or humid climate)

4. Factors Affecting Temperature
Latitude
Altitude
Distance From Large Bodies of Water
Ocean Currents

5. Convection
In the atmosphere, the air is heated by land & water (which absorbed solar energy and changed this to heat).
The warm air rises, cools in the upper troposphere and sinks back to Earth to be warmed again. This makes a current.

6. Latitude Latitude: The distance from the equator measured in degrees
There are three convection areas:
Tropical Zones: warm climates
Temperate Zones: ranging temperatures
Polar Zones: cold climates

8. Convection Currents
Convection happens on a global scale in the atmosphere and causes global winds (6.4.9). These winds then move weather systems and surface ocean currents in particular directions.

9. Global Wind Patterns

10. Land and Sea Breezes
On a smaller scale, convection currents near bodies of water can cause local winds known as land and sea breezes.

13. Altitude Altitude: elevation above sea level
High land areas have cooler climates
Higher altitudes = cooler temperatures
Lower altitudes = warmer temperatures

14. Distance From Large Bodies of Water
Marine Climates: warmer winters and cooler summers
Continental Climates: colder winters and warmer summers

15. Ocean Currents Oceans and lakes can affect temperatures/climate
Ocean Currents- streams of water within the ocean that move in regular patterns
3 examples: Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift, California Current

16. Ocean Surface Currents
The surface currents of Earth’s oceans that circulate warm and cold ocean waters in convection patterns also influence the weather and climates of the landmasses nearby.

17. Gulf Stream Current This warms SC & even Great Britain.
This is like sitting near a hot tub when it’s snowing. You can get warm by just being near the warm water.

18. California Current This cools the west coast.
This is like sitting near the lake when it’s hot. You can get cool by just being near the cool water.

20. Factors Affecting Precipitation
Prevailing Winds
Mountain Ranges

21. Prevailing Winds
movement of air masses caused by directional winds in a region
The amount of water vapor in an air mass influences how much rain or snow will fall
The amount of water vapor in the prevailing wind depends on where the wind comes from

22. Mountain Ranges
Air forced up the mountain cools, condenses, and creates clouds
Falls as precipitation on windward side
Leeward side of mountain has drier conditions

23. Microclimates
Microclimates: small region with specific climate conditions
Examples: parks, cities, areas near lakes or ponds, gardens, etc.