1. Climate Notes 1: Air Masses Air Masses: Air that has uniform characteristics
A single air mass has similar temperature and humidity
The area an air mass originates is called its SOURCE REGION

2. Air Mass Source Regions
A= arctic=very cold
P=polar= cold
T=tropical=warm
C=continental=dry
M=marine=humid
Each air mass has two letters... A combination of temperature and humidity

3. Air Mass Source Regions

4. Climate is…
Average temperature and moisture conditions for area over a long period of time!
…A combination of TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY
A climate can be described as..
Warm and dry (deserts)
Warm and humid (rainforests)
Cool and dry (high latitude continents)
Cool and humid (high latitude oceans)
Variable/temperate (mid latitudes)

5. Summary Questions
1. The area that an air mass originates is the ____ ______
2. An mT air mass is _____ and _______
3. A cP air mass is ______ and ________
4. Climate is the average ______________________________
5. What type of climate is in Arizona? ______ what is its climate designation?

6. Notes 2:Global Climate Factors
Wind Patterns (p14 ESRT)
Warm humid rises at equator
and creates LOW pressure
Air cools and sinks at about 30o
to create HIGH pressure
Air again rises at about 60o to
create LOW pressure
Air sinks at the poles
This air movement creates
the global wind patterns shown on p 14 of the ESRT
HIGH PRESSURE
LOW PRESSURE
HIGH PRESSURE
LOW PRESSURE
HIGH PRESSURE

7. Wind Patterns: ESRT p 14
Air moves from HIGH to LOW pressure to form global wind patterns!
NE Winds
SW Winds
NE Trade Winds
Wind direction is FROM where it blows
SE Trade Winds
NW Winds
Animation!

8. Latitude and Climate: ESRT p 14
Low pressure
areas are humid and form rainforests
DESERTS
HUMID
DESERTS
High pressure
areas are dry and form deserts!
HUMID
DESERTS
Climate Animation

9. Inter-tropical Convergence Zone
Planetary Winds converge at the equator…
Warm humid air rises
and cools to form constant clouds!
LOT’S of RAIN!!
Climate Patterns ITCZ Animation

10. Ocean Currents Take warm and cool water around the world
Currents modify climate of coastal areas
Gulf Stream keeps the UK warmer than it should be!
Ocean Currents Animation

11. Areas Near Water Have Moderate Temperatures
Climate Notes 3
Large Bodies of Water
Warmer in winter
Warmer in summer
Cooler in summer
Cooler in winter
Areas Near Water Have Moderate Temperatures

12. Land and Sea Breeze Land and Sea Breeze Sea Breeze Land Breeze
In the day time…
Sea Breeze
Warm air rises over land to create LOW pressure
Wind blows onto shore
At night…
Land Breeze
Warm air rises over water to create LOW pressure
Wind blows off shore
Land and Sea Breeze

13. Elevation and Orographic Effect
High elevation areas are generally cooler!
OROGRAPHIC EFFECT
Humid coastal air hits mountains and rises…
Rising air cools and saturates with moisture
Rain on the windward
side of mountain!
Air is dry on the leeward side…desert area!
Orographic animation

14. Climate Review Define Climate
What are the different air mass source regions?
Why is there a low pressure zone in the tropics?
Why are there high pressure zones in at 30oN and S?
What is the temperature difference between a coastal climate and a continental climate?
Explain why it’s humid on the windward side of mountains and dry on the leeward side.
What are ocean currents? How do they affect climate?
How do sea and land breezes form? When does each form?

15. Climate Notes 4: The Water Cycle
Also called the Hydrologic Cycle
Water moves from one region to another
The basis for climate and weather on Earth
Click pic for water cycle tune

16. The Water Cycle Several processes move water around on Earth
Evapo-Transpiration- “Ep”
Combination of evaporation from surface water and transpiration from plants
How water vapor enters atmosphere
Dependent on temperature and amount of insolation

17. The Water Cycle Condensation- Water vapor changes to liquid water
Happens when humid air rises and cools
Condensation forms clouds

18. The Water Cycle Precipitation- water returns to Earth’s surface
Rain, snow, etc…

19. The Water Cycle Infiltration-water soaks into the soil
Happens most when soil is permeable and dry
This water becomes groundwater

20. The Water Cycle Runoff- water runs over Earth’s surface
Opposite of infiltration
Happens most when soil is impermeable and saturated and on a steep slope
Collects in ponds, lakes, etc…

21. The Water Cycle
Water evaporates from the surface to start the cycle over!
We still use our original water that formed from condensation of volcanic gases millions of years ago
It’s the same water the dinosaurs drank!
Collects in ponds, lakes, etc…

22. Climate Vocabulary Water Cycle Evapotranspiration Condensation
Precipitation Infiltration Runoff Insolation
Orographic Effect Land Breeze Sea Breeze
Moderation Ocean Current Global Wind
High Pressure Low Pressure mT mP cP cA
mA cT Air Mass Humidity Source region