1. Factors that shape Climate
LACEMOP
Factors that shape Climate

2. Some Definitions
Weather: a condition of the atmosphere in one place during a short period of time
Climate: weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time

3. Earth and Sun Relationships
Latitude
23 ½ Degrees
Earth and Sun Relationships
Revolution- it takes the earth 365 ¼ days to orbit around the sun
The Earth spins on its axis (imaginary line that runs through the center of the earth)
Rotation- Spinning of the Earth on its axis takes 24 hours.

4. Earth and Sun Earths tilt creates the seasons
23 ½ Degrees
Earth and Sun
Earths tilt creates the seasons
When the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the it is summer. It would be winter in the southern hemisphere.

6. Air Masses
Air masses take on the “weather” of the place from which they came.
Convectional Precipitation:Typical of hot climates; convection occurs after morning sunshine heats warm moist air. Clouds form in the afternoon and the rain falls.

7. Frontal Precipitation — when 2 fronts of different temperatures meet.
Warm air forced upward by heavier, cool air.
Rising warm air cools = precipitation
Most common type

8. Continentality
Large bodies of water have moderating effect on land temperatures.
Why? Land and water absorb and store energy at different rates. Land changes quickly — water more slowly. Opposite air blows off the water and moderates land temperature.

9. Mid-Latitudes
a) summer—warm masses of air from the Tropics
b) winter– cold masses of air from the high latitudes

10. Elevation a) Height above sea level
b) Temperature decreases as elevation increases

11. Mountain Barriers Can block air masses and cause precipitation.
Orographic Precipitation: warm moist air forced upward when passing over a mountain. Warm winds cool as they rise over the mountains and clouds form

12. Air is warm and dry on the other side
Windward: mountain side which faces the ocean
Leeward: mountain side which is in a “rain shadow” (no precipitation received)

13. Draw this image in your notes

14. Ocean Currents Help to distribute heat
Carry warm water from tropics to poles and return cold water to the Equator
Winds affect current movement
Air masses take on water temperature

15. Pressure & Wind Rising warm air = low pressure
Falling cool air = high pressure
Wind moves high to low
Movement from equator to poles and back
Coriolis Effect: rotation of the earth bends the patterns of the wind

16. Winds blow in constant patterns and are called prevailing winds.
Historical Fact: Many were named for the direction they blew…some were even given names because they were used by trading ships through the region…

17. Trade winds -- blow from the northeast toward the Equator and from the southeast toward the equator
Westerlies – prevailing winds in the mid-latitudes blow diagonally west to east
Polar Easterlies – blow diagonally in the high latitudes east to west—pushing the cold air toward the mid latitudes

18. Doldrums: windless area near the equator
Horse Latitudes: Historically, ships would lighten their loads in order to take advantage of the slightest wind such as cargo, excess supplies and livestock…this also included horse.

19. Greenhouse Effect
Earth’s atmosphere acts as a greenhouse trapping 50% of the sun’s heat radiation.
Clouds, water vapor and carbon dioxide absorbs the heat reflected by the earth and radiates it back again to keep the balance

20. Global Warming
Global Warming: Scientists claim that there has been a rise in CO2 levels and that has caused a rise in global temperatures.
Burning of coal, oil and natural gas has caused the CO2 levels to rise—increased burning will trap more heat in the atmosphere

21. Some scientists predict it will cause more extreme global weather patterns such as rapid water evaporation causing drier soils between rain and humidity might increase due to rapid evaporation in the oceans
Not all scientists agree on the nature of global warming…hmmmmm!