READINGS

Read Chapter 20 in the textbook if you are confused about:

Air masses (page 436) Fronts and Lows (pg 439) Thunderstorms and Tornadoes (pg 445) Hurricanes and Winter Storms (pg 450) Forecasting Weather-including surface maps,

station models, etc. (pg 455)

READINGS FOR CLIMATE

Textbook Chapter 21 It would be a good idea to read this chapter if

you do not understand Temp and precip (pg 466) Climate controls (pg 467) Climate Zones (pg 469) Climate Changes (pg 474)

CLIMATERRB pages142-148

Textbook Chapter 21

CLIMATE

Weather: short-term condition of the atmosphere

Climate: Average weather conditions over many years

The average temperature, precipitation and annual distribution of temp and precip define the climate of an area

Within the U.S., the climate generally becomes cooler as you go north

The climate in regard to moisture varies: it is based on precipitation vs. the potential for evaporation and transpiration

FACTORS THAT AFFECT CLIMATE

How does latitude affect climate?

As latitude increases the averageannual temperature decreases. This is due to the relationshipsbetween angle, intensity and

duration of insolation to temperature

How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate?

Water __________ the temperature._______ summers._______ winters.

City B is closer to a large body of water.

Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

moderates

Cities A & B are located

at the same latitude.

Cooler Warmer

How does the Orographic Effect

affect climate?

Windward Side: ___________Leeward Side: _____________

cool, moistwarm,

dry

The windward sides of the Adirondacks &

Catskills receive a great deal more precipitation

The leeward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills

receive much less

precipitation

How does elevation affect climate?

As elevation ____________ the averageannual temperature __________.

Elevation

Tem

pera

ture

increases decreases

Page 14 of the ESRTs

We live in the troposphere.

Temperature decreases with elevation.

How do ocean currentsaffect climate?

Warm Currents: warmer climateCold Currents: cooler climate

PLANETARY WIND BELTS ESRT PAGE 14 Prevailing winds influence local climates For Example: the eastern coast of N.A. is

rarely affected by the warm waters of the Gulf stream because the prevailing winds come off of the land

Within the wind belts, there are regions of rising air currents (low-pressure) and sinking air currents (high-pressure)

MONSOONS

Monsoons: Winds off the ocean that bring rainy weather to a region for a long period of time

Typical in desert or arid regions Explanation of Monsoons

TYPICAL STORM TRACKS

Weather systems usually move W (Cali) to E (NY) in the United States

Storms typically follow certain tracks, influenced by the prevailing westerly winds over North America

VISUALIZATIONS

Climate Zones How Nature Records Climate