1. Earth Science Notes
Climate

2. Climate
Climate – a pattern of weather that occurs in an area over a long period of time

3. Factors Affecting Climate
Latitude of the Earth – the closer to the equator the more direct the sunlight is
Tropics – between 23.5oN and 23.5oS latitude
Temperate – 23.5 – 66.5o
Polar 66.5o – 90o

4. Factors Affecting Climate
Large bodies of water – water heats up and cools down more slowly than land
Coastal regions are cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter

5. Factors Affecting Climate
Ocean currents – warm currents warms the land they pass

6. Factors Affecting Climate
Altitude - the higher up it is the less air particles there are to absorb the radiation from the sun

7. Factors Affecting Climate
Mountains – keep moister air on one side

8. Factors Affecting Climate
Cities – air pollution can trap heat

9. Climate Types Koppen’s System of Climate Classification
Examines temperature, precipitation, and plant types
Six Climate Types
Tropical
Mild
Dry
Continental
Polar
high elevation

11. Organisms’ Response to Climate Types
Adaptations – response to climate
Structural
Fur – mammals are insulated from cold temperatures
Thick fleshy stems – hold moisture

12. Organisms’ Response to Climate Types
Adaptations – response to climate
Behavior
Hibernation – period of reduced activity during cold months
Estivation – similar to hibernation, occurs during periods of intense heat

13. Climate Changes
Seasons – periods of climate change caused by the amount of solar radiation an area receives
Caused by the Earth's tilt toward the sun
Tilted toward = summer
Tilted away = winter
Tropics experience little change
High altitudes near pole experience great change

14. Climate Changes

15. Climate Changes
El Nino – an occasional climate event in which strong pacific winds weaken and sometimes reverse.

16. What Is an El Niño?
The waters off the west coast of South America are normally very cold for their latitudes. At Lima, Peru (12°S), ocean temperatures vary from about 16°C in the winter to about 20°C in the summer. This cold current of water extends nearly to the equator before turning to the west.
Normally, for a period of just a few weeks around Christmas each year, this cold water is replaced by a warm current. This event is called El Niño, Spanish for "the child." Every 2 to 7 years, however, this warm water event lasts much longer and is much more pronounced. Then it is called a major El Niño event.

17. El Nino – Spanish for “The Nino”

18. Climate Changes Effects of El Nino Ocean temps near Peru increase
Jet stream is altered, changing wind and precipitation patterns around the world
Africa and Australia may experience droughts
La Nina – winds blowing across the pacific are stronger than normal

19. Effects of El Nino Top is under normal conditions
Bottom is under El Nino conditions

20. Summary How does climate relate to weather?
What factors affecting Earth’s Climate?
What are the different types of climates?
What are some causes of climate change?
El Nino / La Nina