1. Section 3: Georgia’s Climate
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
-- How would you describe the climate of Georgia?

2. Section 3: Georgia’s Climate
What concepts do I need to know?
-- Difference between weather and climate
-- Effect of weather conditions on the state
-- Different types of weather phenomena

3. Georgia’s Temperature
Mild climate, subtropical feel along the coast
Hot, humid summers and mild winters
Four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Vertical climate (higher elevation in mountains causes colder temperatures)
July is hottest month; January is coldest

4. Georgia’s Precipitation
In normal year, Georgia gets inches of rain in central and southern regions and inches in the northern mountains
July is wettest month; October is driest
From 1998 to 2009, Georgia experienced a major drought (extended lack of precipitation)

5. Winds and Currents
Air masses from Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean control summer’s warm months.
Air masses from polar regions of Alaska and Canada control Georgia’s winters.
Ocean currents, trade winds, and prevailing westerlies aided travel for early explorers and settlers to Georgia.

6. Storms over Georgia
Georgia averages 21 tornadoes each year, resulting in one to three deaths
Most tornadoes in Georgia occur from March to May
Georgia’s most hurricane-like storm (in terms of lives lost) occurred in Savannah in 1893
Called the “Sea Islands Hurricane,” the storm resulted in 1,000 deaths.
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