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Mountain climate Mountain Geography, term A, 2007.

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Presentation on theme: "Mountain climate Mountain Geography, term A, 2007."— Presentation transcript:

1 Mountain climate Mountain Geography, term A, 2007

2 Major climatic controls ALTITUDE LATITUDE CONTINENTALITY TOPOGRAPHY

3 Climate factors/elements Pressure, oxygen, water vapour Temperature Precipitation Winds Radiation clouds

4 3. CONTINENTALITY

5 4. TOPOGRAPHY Barrier effects –DAMMING –DEFLECTION –BLOCKING Depends on topography (mtn. range vs. isolated peak)

6 Pressure

7

8 Temperature a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules in that substance. how fast the air molecules are moving.

9 Effect of altitude on temperature

10 Wind Wind results from a horizontal difference in air pressure sun heats different parts of the Earth differently, causing pressure differences Sun is the driving force for most winds.

11 Wind direction Winds are directed towards low pressure, which results in: Lifting of air "Bad" Weather Winds are directed away from high pressure, which results in: Sinking of air "Good" Weather

12 Types of winds Large-scale –Standing waves –roters Regional scale –Chinook winds; –Monsoon winds Small scale: –Slope winds –Mountain/Valley winds –Glacier wind

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14 Large-scale standing waves

15 Rotor clouds

16 Lenticular clouds

17

18 Orographic precipitation occurs where mountains and hills force moist air to rise

19 Chinook winds Warm, dry winds coming off the leeward side of the mountains Explain why they occur Also called Foehn (Germany); Mistral (French Alps) Santa Ana (California)

20 Monsoon winds regional scale wind systems created by the temperature contrasts between land and ocean Land heats up/cools faster than oceans warmer

21 Direction of the monsoon

22

23 Valley breeze (Anabatic) - upslope Daytime warmer LOW P colder HIGH P Temperature inversion

24 Mountain breeze - Katabatic (downslope) Night time colder HIGH P warmer LOW P

25 Mountain/Valley breeze Mountain breathes IN Mountain breathes OUT IN OUT

26 Glacier winds

27 Cloud Formation In order to make a cloud we need: Moisture Nuclei on which to condense (cloud condensation nuclei, or ice nuclei) A method of cooling the air to saturation

28 What about if the air temperature is below 0°C? It is possible for liquid water to remain liquid below temperatures of 0°C if there are no Ice Nuclei (IN). Liquid water below 0°C is called "supercooled" or "subcooled" water.

29 Types of clouds

30 Need: Plenty of moisture. A mass of warm unstable air. A source of energy to lift the warm, moist air mass rapidly upward.

31 Cumulo-nimbus clouds

32 Home exercise (X-credit): Watch for clouds over the Boulder area Take a picture, identify the clouds Write about how the clouds was formed Submit to Abby

33 Composition of Solar Radiation


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