1. The Wonderful World of Weather

2. Factors Affecting Weather

3. Earths Tilt
As the earth revolves around the sun it is tilted at 23.5 degrees
Because of the earth’s revolution and tilt direct sunlight hits the earth differently at different parts causing changing seasons on the earth

4. The Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
Mark points farthest north and south that the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon
The day on which this occurs is called a solstice

5. In the Northern Hemisphere the summer solstice begins summer, the longest day of the year. The winter solstice begins winter the shortest day of the year
Winter Solstice in Northern Hemisphere
Summer Solstice in Northern Hemisphere

6. Equinox This is another sign of changing seasons
Occurs 2 times a year when the days and nights all over the world are equal in length.
Marks the beginning of Spring and Autumn
Equinox

7. Types of Precipitation

8. Convectional: Typical of hot climate (Tropical)
Occurs after morning sunshine heats warm moist air.
Clouds form in the afternoon and rain falls
Clouds forming over the Florida peninsula.
What time of day do you think this picture was taken?

9. Orographic: Associated with mountain areas
Mountains block the passage of air and cause it to rise
Storms drop more rain on the windward side and create a rain shadow on the leeward side because it gets little rain from the descending dry air
Moist air rises and cools on windward side of mountains
Condensation occurs and precipitation results
Drier air descends down the mountains and warms
Leeward side of mountain range has rain shadow desert
MT RANGE
WINDWARD SIDE
LEEWARD SIDE
In which part of the United States will you find orographic precipitation?
Where is the rain shadow?

10. Mount Waialeale on the island of Kauai in Hawaii has the greatest
annual average of precipitation (486” per year or 40. feet).
The backside (leeward) side of the mountain gets only 20” of rainfall
per year.

11. Cherrapunjee (on the south side of
The Himalayas) holds the all-time
record for precipitation in one year.

12. Frontal: Mid-latitude frontal storms
Cold, dense air pushes warm, light air upward causing precipitation to form

13. Landforms
Landmasses heat and cool relatively quickly; there are wider temperature ranges in the interior of large landmasses.

14. Large Bodies of Water
Water heats and cools more slowly than adjacent landmasses, so it moderates temperatures there. (It doesn’t get as cold or as hot.)

15. Cold and Warm Ocean Currents

16. Elevation
As elevation increases above sea level, temperature decreases. (Compare the current temperature in Mexico City to that of Austin?)
The air cools and becomes thinner and loses its ability to hold moisture.

17. Air Movement winds move air and moisture
As a result weather can change very rapidly

18. Prevailing Winds

19. Pressure Systems
Wind will flow from high pressure zones towards low pressure zones.
Low pressure zones are associated with rain as warm air rises and releases moisture.