1. 4-1 Role of Climate

2. 1.What is climate and what is weather? A. Climate refers to the average year after year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region. It causes a wide range of environmental conditions that shape our communities. B. Weather is a day to day conditions of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. 1. Caused by the many factors. a. Trapping of heat b. Latitude c. Winds and ocean currents d. Amount of precipitation e. Shape and elevation f. Solar energy

4. Greenhouse Effect A. CO 2, methane, water vapor, and other gases trap heat energy and maintain Earth’s temperature range. B. A natural insulating blanket of gases that trap sun light from escaping into space. C. Solar energy penetrates the atmosphere and is converted to heat energy and then some radiates back to space, but most stays trapped.

6. 3. Effect of latitude on climate A. Earth is titled on its axis 23.5º. B. Solar radiation strikes different parts of Earth’s surface at an angle that varies throughout the year. C. Equator receives direct suns rays so it stays warm and the poles receive less direct so they remain cold.

9. 3. This unequal heating creates 3 different zones. 4. Polar zone A. Located in the areas around the North and South poles, between 66.5º and 90º north and south latitudes. B. Sun’s rays are at a very low angle. 5. Temperate zones A. Sit between the polar zones and the tropic zones, because this zone is affected mostly by the changing angle of the sun the climate zone ranges from hot to cold seasons.

10. 6. Tropical zone A. Located between 23.5º North and 23.5º South latitudes. B. Receive the most sunlight year round and always warm.( near equator) 7. Heat Transfer A. Unequal heating of Earth surface drives winds and ocean currents which transport heat throughout the biosphere. B. Warm air near the equator rises and cool air over the poles sinks towards the ground. This upward and downward movement of air creates winds that move heat throughout the atmospheres.

11. Where air is warmed and then rises, it lifts the atmosphere upward, releasing pressure at the Earth's surface. This makes a low pressure zone. When air gets cool, the water vapor in it condenses to form clouds. Low pressure zones are associated with rainfall.

12. When air gets warm, it can hold more water as water vapor, meaning the water evaporates. High pressure zones are associated with clear, sunny skies. Where cool air sinks back to the Earth, it presses the atmosphere onto the surface, increasing the pressure and creating a high pressure zone.

13. 9. Land masses and wind A. Landmass can affect wind patterns and interfere with the movement of air masses (Orographic effect) 1. A mountain range can cause moist air to rise, cools and condenses, forms clouds bringing precipitation. 2. Once the air mass reaches the far side of the mountain, moisture is lost. 3. Result is a rain shadow an area with a dry climate like a desert.

15. . Dentrochronology A. Study of tree rings. 1. Weather (dentroclimology) 2. Age 3. Grew on a slope 4. Insect infestation 5. Fire