1. Climate and Climate Change
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Climate and Climate Change
the BIG idea
Climates are long-term weather patterns that may change over time.
18.1
Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
18.2
Earth has a variety of climates.
18.3
Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
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2. 18.1 Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
The main factors that influence climate are
climate
latitude
• latitude
marine climate
• altitude
continental climate
ocean current
• distance from
large bodies
of water
season
• ocean currents
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3. 18.1 Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
The main factors that influence climate are
climate
latitude
• latitude
marine climate
• altitude
continental climate
SIMULATION
Explore the effects of latitude and altitude.
ocean current
• distance from
large bodies
of water
season
• ocean currents
CHAPTER
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OUTLINE

4. 18.1 Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
Seasonal changes are also part of
climate patterns.
climate
latitude
These photos show the same rice fields in
India at different times of the year.
Dry Season
Wet Season
marine climate
continental climate
ocean current
season
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5. 18.1 climate Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
latitude
marine climate
The characteristic weather conditions in an area over a long period of time.
continental climate
ocean current
season
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KEY CONCEPT
SUMMARY

6. 18.1 latitude Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
marine climate
The distance in degrees north or south from the equator.
continental climate
ocean current
season
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7. 18.1 marine climate Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
latitude
marine climate
A climate influenced by a nearby ocean, with generally mild temperatures and steady precipitation.
continental climate
ocean current
season
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KEY CONCEPT
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8. 18.1 continental climate Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
latitude
marine climate
A climate that occurs in the interior of a continent, with large temperature differences between seasons.
continental climate
ocean current
season
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KEY CONCEPT
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9. 18.1 ocean current Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
latitude
marine climate
A stream of water that flows through the ocean in a regular pattern.
continental climate
ocean current
season
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10. 18.1 season Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
latitude
marine climate
A period of the year associated with specific weather conditions.
continental climate
ocean current
season
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11. Earth has a variety of climates.
18.2
Earth has a variety of climates.
Scientists usually group climates by temperature and precipitation. There are six major climate zones. Climate zones can be divided into subclimates. Microclimates are smaller areas within subclimates.
climate zone
microclimate
urban heat island
rain shadow
Each color on the map shows a different subclimate.
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12. 18.2 climate zone Earth has a variety of climates.
microclimate
One of the major divisions in a system for classifying the climates of different regions based on characteristics they have in common.
urban heat island
rain shadow
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13. 18.2 microclimate Earth has a variety of climates.
climate zone
microclimate
microclimate
The climate of a smaller area within a subclimate.
urban heat island
rain shadow
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14. 18.2 urban heat island Earth has a variety of climates.
climate zone
urban heat island
microclimate
The warmer body of air over a city.
urban heat island
rain shadow
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15. 18.2 rain shadow Earth has a variety of climates.
climate zone
rain shadow
microclimate
An area on the downwind side of a mountain that gets less precipitation than the side that faces the wind.
urban heat island
rain shadow
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16. Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
18.3
Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
Natural events, such as eruptions of volcanoes, can change climate.
ice age
El Niño
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17. Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
18.3
Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
Natural events, such as eruptions of volcanoes, can change climate.
ice age
Human activities that release greenhouse gases are also changing climate.
El Niño
This ice sheet on a mountain in Peru has shrunk 820
meters (2690 ft) in 19 years.
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18. 18.3 ice age Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
El Niño
A period of time during which surface temperatures drop significantly and huge ice sheets spread out beyond the polar regions.
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19. 18.3 El Niño Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
ice age
El Niño
El Niño
A disturbance of wind patterns and ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean that causes temporary climate changes in many parts of the world.
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20. 18.1 Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
I. Climate is a long-term weather pattern.
climate
A. Geography affects climate.
latitude
1. Latitude
marine climate
2. Altitude
continental climate
3. Large Bodies of Water
ocean current
4. Ocean Currents
season
B. Seasonal changes are part of climate.
1. Temperature Patterns
2. Precipitation Patterns
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KEY CONCEPT
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21. Earth has a variety of climates.
18.2
Earth has a variety of climates.
II. Earth has a variety of climates.
climate zone
A. Scientists have identified six major climate zones.
microclimate
urban heat island
B. Natural features and human activity can affect local climate.
rain shadow
1. Urban Heat Islands
2. Rain Shadows
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22. Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
18.3
Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
III. Climates can change suddenly or slowly.
ice age
A. Climates cool when particles block sunlight.
El Niño
B. Climates change as continents move.
C. Some climate changes repeat over time.
1. El Niño
D. Human activities are changing climate.
1. Predictions of Climate Change
2. Impact of Global Warming
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