1. Learning Log
We have been talking about weather, but we also hear people talking about climate change. In a complete sentence describe what you think the difference between weather and climate are.
Essential Question:
What is climate and how does it differ from the Weather?

2. CLIMATE

3. What is Climate? What is Climatology?
The long-term weather patterns of an area
What is Climatology?
The study of earth’s climate and the
factors that affect past, present and future
climatic changes.

4. What defines a Climate?
Average temperature annually
Average amount of precipitation annually

5. Climate also describes…
Wind
Other weather variables
Normals – standard values for a location; set over a period of 30 yrs
Normals- gathered data averaged on a monthly or annual basis

6. Climate ZONES
Tropical Zone- area 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator
Temperate Zone- area 23.5 degrees and 66.5 degrees north and south of the equator
Polar Zone- area located from 66.5 degrees north and south of the equator to the poles
There are three basic climate zones.
Tropical climate zone. This is an area that falls between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. This area has hot climates all year long.
Temperate Climate Zone - These areas are between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle and between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle. The climate in these areas is warm in the summer and cold in the winter.
Polar Climate Zone - These areas are at either pole below the Antarctic Circle and above the Arctic Circle. The winters are very cold and the summers cool to cold.

7. CLIMATE ZONES

8. Climatic Variations
Latitude-Increasing latitude, cooler climate (climate zones)
Air Masses-Movement and interactions; form over land/water
Vegetation- Influences how much of the sun’s energy is absorbed and how much is released

9. Topography- Topographic features (land features) such as mountains play an important role in the amount of precipitation that falls over an area
Elevation- Higher the elevation, colder the air, and colder the climate
Water bodies- temperature of the water body influences the air above it
Leeward side
Windward side

10. Alaska
Rocky Mountains
Puerto Rico

11. The Koppen Climate Classification System
The Koppen Climate Classification System uses mean monthly and annual values of temperature,precipitation, and vegetation to classify climate.
The Five Principal Climates
Tropical Climates
Dry Climates
Mild Climates
Continental Climates
Polar Climates

12. Tropical Climates High Temperatures (64 oF or higher) all year
Lots of rain
Examples: Miami and Borneo

13. Dry Climates Little rain and huge daily Temp. ranges Mohave and
Sonoran Deserts
Gobi Desert
Sahara Desert

14. Mild Climates Warm dry summers and cool wet winters Shanghai, China
Jacksonville, NC

15. Continental Climates
Interior regions with average precipitation and wide seasonal Temp. variations
Ex. Fairbanks Alaska and Des Moines Iowa

16. Polar Climates
Permanent ice
Example: The North and South poles

19. Assignment: Creating and Comparing Climatographs
Complete the exercise that will be handed out.
You may work with a partner, but you each must complete and turn in your own graph and answer sheet.

20. Questions about Graphs:
What was the hottest month in Jacksonville? How much precipitation was received that month?
With air masses and humidity in mind, why do you think Jacksonville receives more precipitation than Raleigh?
Describe differences you noticed between the climates of Jacksonville and Raleigh. What do you think may have caused this difference? How about between Jacksonville and Asheville?

21. What are MICROCLIMATES?
Microclimates localized climates that differ from the main regional climate.
Heat islands create microclimates
In the example to the right, which shows winter temperatures in Washington, D.C., the buildings and paved surfaces of the city create a microclimate. The temperature in the center of the city is –0.6ºC, nearly 3ºC warmer than temperatures in some parts of the surrounding area.

22. Climatic Changes Climate Change and Extreme Weather
The work of climatologists has found evidence to suggest that only a limited number of factors are primarily responsible for most of the past episodes of climate change on the Earth. These factors include:
Variations in the Earth's orbital characteristics.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide variations.
Volcanic eruptions
Variations in solar output.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather

23. Long Term Climatic Changes
Ice ages
periods where the average global temperatures decreased by an estimated 5°C
extensive glacial coverage.

24. Global Warming Rise in global temperatures. Why?
Levels of greenhouse gases are increasing

25. Short Term Climatic Changes
Seasons-
short-term periods of climatic change caused by:
the regular variations in daylight, temperature, and weather patterns

26. El Nino
El Nino is a warm ocean current that occasionally develops off the western coast of South America that causes many short-term climatic changes
El Nino brings stormy weather to areas that are normally dry and drought conditions to areas that are normally wet.

27. Changes in Earth’s climate are also caused by Natural Events such as:
variations in solar activity
changes in Earth’s tilt and orbit
volcanic eruptions.

28. Answer the essential question under your learning log entry.