ClimateClimate

• Why do some areas on Earth have Why do some areas on Earth have glaciers?glaciers?• Why are some areas hot or cold?Why are some areas hot or cold?•Why are some areas dry or wet?Why are some areas dry or wet?• What is climate?What is climate?

• Climate is the pattern of weather that Climate is the pattern of weather that occurs in a particular area over many occurs in a particular area over many years. (30+ years) explain – years. (30+ years) explain – desert/raindesert/rain

• Why do some areas on Earth have Why do some areas on Earth have glaciers?glaciers?• Why are some areas hot or cold?Why are some areas hot or cold?•Why are some areas dry or wet?Why are some areas dry or wet?• What is climate?What is climate?

• Climate is the pattern of weather that Climate is the pattern of weather that occurs in a particular area over many occurs in a particular area over many years. (30+ years) explain – years. (30+ years) explain – desert/raindesert/rain

ClimateClimate• Weather conditions that make-Weather conditions that make-

up a climate:up a climate:• TemperatureTemperature• PrecipitationPrecipitation• Air PressureAir Pressure• HumidityHumidity• Days of SunshineDays of Sunshine

ClimateClimate• Factors that affect the climate:Factors that affect the climate:• LatitudeLatitude• TopographyTopography• Lakes and OceansLakes and Oceans• MoistureMoisture• Wind PatternsWind Patterns• Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents• Locations of Air MassesLocations of Air Masses

ClimateClimate• How does latitude affect How does latitude affect

climate?climate?• The tilt of the Earth influences The tilt of the Earth influences

the angle the Sun’s direct rays the angle the Sun’s direct rays hit the Earth.hit the Earth.

• Latitudes close to equator, Latitudes close to equator, receives more energy from the receives more energy from the Sun. (more energy = more light Sun. (more energy = more light and heat)and heat)

ClimateClimate• There are 3 major climate There are 3 major climate

zones:zones:

1.1. TropicsTropics

2.2. Temperate ZoneTemperate Zone

3.3. Polar ZonePolar Zone

Climate ZonesClimate Zones

•Tropics:Tropics:The region between latitudes 23.5The region between latitudes 23.5oo

north and 23.5north and 23.5oo south south•This region receives the most solar This region receives the most solar

energy. (light and heat)energy. (light and heat)•Sun’s rays are directly overhead.Sun’s rays are directly overhead.•Temperatures in the tropics are Temperatures in the tropics are

always hot!always hot!

Climate ZonesClimate Zones

•Polar Zone:Polar Zone:•The region between the poles The region between the poles to 66.5to 66.5oo north and south north and south latitudelatitude

•Solar energy hits the polar Solar energy hits the polar zone at a low angle. Spreading zone at a low angle. Spreading the same amount of energy the same amount of energy over a larger area.over a larger area.

•Polar ice reflects solar energy.Polar ice reflects solar energy.

Climate Zones

•Temperate Zone:Temperate Zone:•The area between the tropics The area between the tropics and the polar zone.and the polar zone.

•Temperatures in this zone are Temperatures in this zone are moderatemoderate

•The United States is in the The United States is in the temperate zone.temperate zone.

ClimateClimate• * Within each zone, topographic features * Within each zone, topographic features

affect climate. (what is a topographic affect climate. (what is a topographic feature?)feature?)

• Mountains, Large bodies of waterMountains, Large bodies of water• Water heats up and cools down more Water heats up and cools down more

slowly than land.slowly than land.• Coastal regions are warmer in the winter Coastal regions are warmer in the winter

and cooler in the summerand cooler in the summer• Ocean currents affect coastal climate. Ocean currents affect coastal climate.

Warm currents flow toward the north, Warm currents flow toward the north, warming the regions they pass. (cold warming the regions they pass. (cold currents)currents)

Climate• Mountains – The side of the mountain Mountains – The side of the mountain

facing the wind is called the facing the wind is called the windward windward sideside..

• Air rises, cools, and drops its moisture as Air rises, cools, and drops its moisture as precipitation on the windward side.precipitation on the windward side.

• Leeward sideLeeward side – The air descends, heats up, – The air descends, heats up, and dries out the land, often forming and dries out the land, often forming deserts. (explain)deserts. (explain)

• There is a man-made feature that affects There is a man-made feature that affects climate.climate.

• Large cities – solar energy is absorbed by Large cities – solar energy is absorbed by streets, parking lots, and buildings. streets, parking lots, and buildings. Radiates heat into the atmosphere.Radiates heat into the atmosphere.

Climate• Climate can be divided into six Climate can be divided into six

major groups:major groups:1.1. TropicalTropical

2.2. Mild (near oceans)Mild (near oceans)

3.3. DryDry

4.4. ContinentalContinental

5.5. PolarPolar

6.6. High elevation (mountains)High elevation (mountains)

Climate• In the temperate zone, weather In the temperate zone, weather

generally changes with the seasons.generally changes with the seasons.• Seasons are short-term periods of Seasons are short-term periods of

climate change.climate change.• Seasons change as the amount of Seasons change as the amount of

solar energy an area receives solar energy an area receives changes.changes.