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Earth-Sun Earth-Sun RelationsRelations
Climate vs. WeatherClimate vs. Weather
• Weather: condition of atmosphere in 1 place during a limited time
Climate vs. weatherClimate vs. weather
• Climate: weather patterns of an area over a long period of time
The most The most important factor important factor
of climate is of climate is Earth’s position Earth’s position in relation to the in relation to the
sunsun
Earth’s TiltEarth’s Tilt
• Axis: imaginary line runs from pole to pole, through center–Tilted at 23 ½ º angle–Places receive diff. amounts of light at diff. times
Earth’s TiltEarth’s Tilt
• Areas with direct sunlight warmer temps.
• Areas with indirect sunlight cooler temps.
Earth’s RotationEarth’s Rotation• Earth rotates on
its axis–One complete
rotation = 24 hours
–From west to east, one hemisphere at a time
Earth’s RevolutionEarth’s Revolution
• As it rotates, Earth revolves around the sun (365 days)
• Tilt + revolution = seasons–Δs in length of days and temp.
–Reversed for N & S hemispheres
Equinoxes & SolsticesEquinoxes & Solstices
• Equinox: Spring and Fall–Equal days and nights
• Solstice: Summer and Winter–Longer day or shorter day
Equinoxes & SolsticesEquinoxes & Solstices
• Spring equinox March 21- rays hit Equator directly…equal day/night
• Summer solstice June 21- rays hit Tropic of Cancer
(23 ½ ºN)…longest day
Equinoxes & SolsticesEquinoxes & Solstices• Fall equinox Sept. 23- rays
hit Equator directly…equal day/night
• Winter solstice December 22- rays hit Tropic of Capricorn
(23 ½ ºS)…shortest day
Equinoxes & SolsticesEquinoxes & Solstices
• So if it is summer in Houston, what season is it in South Africa?
• If we are wearing long sleeves and jackets, what are they wearing in China?
The PolesThe Poles• For 6 months one pole is
pointed toward sun constant sunlight
• Other is pointed away little to no sunlight
“lands of the midnight sun”
The Greenhouse EffectThe Greenhouse Effect
• The perfect balance must be kept: –Too much heat escapes freeze
–Too much heat is trapped dry out
Greenhouse effectGreenhouse effect
Global warmingGlobal warming
• More fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are burned
• Greenhouse gases (CO2, O3, water vapor) trap more heat
Global warmingGlobal warming
• Water evaporation, get more rainfall
• Land dries out more quickly
Factors Affecting Factors Affecting ClimateClimate
Factors Affecting Climate• Divide your paper into 8 squares
• Label them the following:1. Low Latitudes 5. Wind Patterns2. High Latitudes 6. Ocean Currents3. Mid-Latitudes 7. El Niño4. Elevation 8. Landforms
• Use Ch. 3 Sec. 2• You will write at least 3 main points for each
IN YOUR OWN WORDS!• You will draw an illustration to visually
explain the factor (Must be colored)
Low LatitudesBetween the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn (includes Equator); the “Tropics”Receive direct rays from SunWarm to hot climates year round
High LatitudesPolar areas= North of Arctic Circle and south of Antarctic CircleReceives constant indirect sunlight for 6 months when pole faces SunMarch-Sept: North has constant daylight, South is in dark (switches for next 6 mos.)
Mid-LatitudesMost variable weather on EarthBetween Tropic of Cancer & Arctic Circle; between Tropic of Capricorn & Antarctic CircleRanges from fairly hot to fairly cold (temperate), dramatic changesSummer gets warm air from tropics, winter gets cold air from high-latitudes
ElevationAt any latitude, anywhere on Earth, elevation influences climateAs altitude increases, the air thins which absorbs less heatAs elevation increases, temperature decreases
Wind PatternsMove clockwise in N. Hem. and counterclockwise in S. Hem.Cool air flows in to replaces rising warm air (Polar front), distributing Sun’s heatLow latitudes have trade winds; mid-latitudes have westerlies; high latitudes have polar easterlies (named for direction they come from)Doldrums are a windless band at the Equator and Tropic lines
Ocean CurrentsMove clockwise in N. Hem. and counterclockwise in S. Hem.Cold water moves from poles to Equator and warms up (warm currents), or warm water moves from Equator to poles and cools (cold currents)Currents affect the climate on land: either cooling or warming (ex: North Atlantic Drift & W. Europe)
El NinoPeriodic change in currents & water temps. in mid-Pacific region, no known causeReversal of atmospheric pressures reduce or reverse wind patterns brings warm water from Asia to South America Domino effect: precipitation increases, flooding in S. America; also droughts and fires in SE Asia/Australia
LandformsLandforms affect climates of places at the same latitudeBodies of water moderate temps. b/c they take long to change temp.Cool air releases moisture on windward side of mountain; then hot, dry air moves to leeward side creating deserts (rain shadow effect)
Low Latitudes Between the the “Tropics”
Low numbers in latitude value Receive direct rays from Sun
Equator: 6 mos. a yr. Each Tropic: 3 mos. a yr.
Receive indirect rays from Sun Equator: 6 mos. a yr. Each Tropic: 6 mos. a yr.
Warm to hot climates year round
High Latitudes Polar areas= N of Arctic Circle and S of
Antarctic Circle (high numbers in latitude value) Receives constant sunlight for 6 months
when pole faces Sun March-Sept: North has constant daylight, South
is in dark (switches for next 6 mos.) Arctic & Antarctic Circles are last point to
receive indirect rays (during summer or winter)
Mid Latitudes Most variable weather on Earth Between Trop. of Cancer & Arctic Circle;
between Trop. of Capricorn & Antarctic Circle (~30°- 60°)
Ranges from fairly hot to fairly cold (temperate), dramatic changes, but no extremes
Summer gets warm air from low-lats, winter gets cold air from high-lats
Elevation At any latitude, anywhere on Earth,
elevation influences climate If high enough in elevation, can have snow on the
Equator! -Quito, Ecuador As altitude increases, the air thins which
absorbs less heat As elevation increases, temperature
decreases (3.5° per 1,000 ft)
Wind Patterns Move clockwise in N. Hem. and counterclockwise in
S. Hem. (Coriolis Effect) Cool air flows in to replace rising warm air (Polar
front), distributing Sun’s heat Switches direction in each latitude zone
Low latitudes have trade winds (northeasterly/southeasterly) Mid-latitudes have westerlies High latitudes have polar easterlies
*(named for direction they come FROM) Windless bands
Doldrums @ Equator Horse Latitudes @ Tropics
Coriolis Effect
Doldrums: windless area near the equator
Horse Latitudes: Historically, ships would lighten their loads in order to take advantage of the slightest wind such as cargo, excess supplies and livestock…this also included horses.
Ocean Currents Flow same directions as wind…which is?? Cold water moves from poles to Equator and
warms up (cold currents), or warm water moves from Equator to poles and cools (warm currents)
Currents affect the climate on land: either cooling or warming (ex: North Atlantic Drift & W. Europe)
El Niño Periodic change in currents & water temps.
in mid-Pacific region No known cause
Reversal of atmospheric pressures reduce or reverse wind patterns brings warm water from Asia to South America
Domino effect: Precipitation increases, flooding in S. America Or droughts and fires in SE Asia/Australia
El Nino• http://www.teachersdo
main.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.watcyc.eselnino/
Landforms Landforms affect climates of places @ the same
latitude Bodies of water moderate temps. b/c they take a long
time to change temp. Gulf of MX is warm water keeps Houston warmer
Continentality– absence of lg. body of water means more drastic weather changes Nebraska can have hot summers and receive snow in the
winters Rainshadow effect
Cool air releases moisture on windward side of mountain; then hot, dry air moves to leeward side creating deserts
Ganges Plain in India Himalaya Arid Tibetan
Plateau
Climographs
Climographs
World Climographs webpage
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