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Chapter 4: Climate and Climate Change
Section 1: What Causes Climate
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Weather: condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time (short term)
Climate: average conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds and clouds in an area (long term)
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What Causes Climate? Temperature (cold or warm climate)
Precipitation (dry or humid climate)
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Factors Affecting Temperature
Latitude Altitude Distance From Large Bodies of Water Ocean Currents
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Latitude Latitude: The distance from the equator measured in degrees
Temperature Zones Tropical Zones: warm climates Temperate Zones: ranging temperatures Polar Zones: cold climates
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Altitude Altitude: elevation above sea level
High land areas have cooler climates Higher altitudes = cooler temperatures Lower altitudes = warmer temperatures
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Distance From Large Bodies of Water
Marine Climates: warmer winters and cooler summers Continental Climates: colder winters and warmer summers
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Ocean Currents Oceans and lakes can affect temperatures/climate
Ocean Currents- streams of water within the ocean that move in regular patterns 3 examples: Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift, California Current
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Factors Affecting Precipitation
Prevailing Winds Mountain Ranges
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Prevailing Winds movement of air masses caused by directional winds in a region The amount of water vapor in an air mass influences how much rain or snow will fall The amount of water vapor in the prevailing wind depends on where the wind comes from
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Mountain Ranges Air forced up the mountain cools, condenses, and creates clouds Falls as precipitation on windward side Leeward side of mountain has drier conditions
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Microclimates Microclimates: small region with specific climate conditions Examples: parks, cities, areas near lakes or ponds, gardens, etc.
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