ClimateClimate

Climate and BiomesClimate and Biomes

What is weather?What is weather?

The condition of the atmosphere at a The condition of the atmosphere at a particular time.particular time.

What is Climate?What is Climate?

The average, year-after-year conditions of The average, year-after-year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area.clouds in an area.

Climate vs. WeatherClimate vs. Weather

What is the difference?What is the difference? Climate is year-to-yearClimate is year-to-year Weather changes everydayWeather changes everyday

Climate Climate

Determined by two factorsDetermined by two factors– TemperatureTemperature– PrecipitationPrecipitation

Factors Affecting TemperatureFactors Affecting Temperature

LatitudeLatitude AltitudeAltitude Distance from large bodies of waterDistance from large bodies of water Ocean currentsOcean currents

LatitudeLatitude

The distance north or south of the equatorThe distance north or south of the equator– Measured in degreesMeasured in degrees– ExamplesExamples

1515° N 120°E° N 120°E 30° S 120° E30° S 120° E

Globe!!Globe!!

LatitudeLatitude

More direct sunlight hits the Earth at the More direct sunlight hits the Earth at the equator than at the poles.equator than at the poles.

Poles are colder than the equator. Poles are colder than the equator.

AltitudeAltitude

The height above sea level. The height above sea level.

Mount KilimanjaroMount Kilimanjaro– Covered in snow all yearCovered in snow all year– 33°° S S

Distance from Large Bodies of WaterDistance from Large Bodies of Water

Oceans generate moderate temperatures on Oceans generate moderate temperatures on nearby land. nearby land. – Make temperatures less extreme. Make temperatures less extreme.

Mild Mild marine climatesmarine climates– Relatively mild winters and cool summers.Relatively mild winters and cool summers.

Continental climatesContinental climates– Have more extreme temperatures. Have more extreme temperatures.

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

Warm currents move warm water and warm Warm currents move warm water and warm air toward the poles.air toward the poles.

Cold currents move cold water and cool air Cold currents move cold water and cool air toward the equator.toward the equator.

Factors Affecting PrecipitationFactors Affecting Precipitation

Prevailing WindsPrevailing Winds Mountain RangesMountain Ranges Seasonal WindsSeasonal Winds

Prevailing WindsPrevailing Winds

Weather patterns depend on the movement Weather patterns depend on the movement of huge air masses.of huge air masses.

Air masses are moved from place to place Air masses are moved from place to place by prevailing winds. by prevailing winds.

Prevailing WindsPrevailing Winds

The amount of water vapor in the air mass The amount of water vapor in the air mass influences how much precipitation will fall. influences how much precipitation will fall.

The amount of precipitation depends on The amount of precipitation depends on where the prevailing winds came from. where the prevailing winds came from.

Mountain RangesMountain Ranges

Mountain ranges that are in the path of Mountain ranges that are in the path of prevailing winds can influence where prevailing winds can influence where precipitation falls. precipitation falls.

Mountain RangesMountain Ranges

Windward side – the side of the mountain Windward side – the side of the mountain the wind hits.the wind hits.– Rain and snow falls on this sideRain and snow falls on this side

Leeward side – downwind, rain shadowLeeward side – downwind, rain shadow– Little precipitation falls on this side. Little precipitation falls on this side.

Seasonal WindsSeasonal Winds

Sea and land breezes over a large region Sea and land breezes over a large region that change direction with the seasonsthat change direction with the seasons– MonsoonsMonsoons

Summer monsoon – wind blows from the Summer monsoon – wind blows from the ocean to the land. Causes heavy rains.ocean to the land. Causes heavy rains.

Winter monsoon – wind blows from the land Winter monsoon – wind blows from the land to the ocean. to the ocean.