Climate & Weather

Climate & WeatherUnit 6Climate & WeatherClimate the average weather conditions of an area over a long period of time

Weather is the day to day conditions

*Climate you expect and weather is what you get*

Climate & WeatherClimate of an Area is based on 2 thingsAverage temperatureAverage precipitation

Climate & WeatherFactors that influence climateLatitudeEarths tiltEarths revolution around the sunTopographyOceans presentAltitudeWind presentIce/glaciers present

Factors that Affect ClimateLatitudeDifferent latitudes receive different intensities of solar energyEquator direct and strongPoles large angle so weakThis amount of solar energy effects the:TemperaturePrecipitationWind patterns

Earths axis:Earth is tilted and spins on an axisThe tilt determines the part of the Earth that faces the sunWinter Earth is pointing away so angle is greater (rays are weaker) also there are less hours on lightSummer Earth is pointing toward so angle is less (rays are stronger) also we have more hoursAs it spins it wobbles which causes different amounts of solar radiation to reach each part of the Earth

Wind and Ocean patterns**Difference in temperature, pressure, and density cause wind and ocean currents**Remember:Cold is denser and has higher pressure - So cold air and water at poles moves down toward equatorWarm is less dense and has a lower pressure so warmer air and water at equator moves up toward the poles

TopographyTopography - surface features of the EarthEach type of feature absorbs and reflects different amounts of energyBased on color, texture, and compositionThese different rates of absorption and release of energy affect the climate in the area

ElevationHigher up = colderA mountain has rain on one side and a drought on the other (called rain shadow)Closer to waterLand absorbs and releases heat faster than ocean larger temperature differenceNear oceans - more moderate temperatures and more precipitation

Climate zonesThere are three climate zones each with its own characteristicsThree zones:TropicalMiddle latitude/TemperatePolar

Tropical zones:CharacteristicsHot yearly Types:Tropical rain forest - rainyTropical desert - drySavanna =wet seasonsTropical Rainforest

Tropical desert

Savanna

Temperate latitude climates:CharacteristicsTemperatures, rain and vegetation vary based on locationTemperature:Depends where equator locationPrecipitation: Depends on water locationsTemperate forest

Polar climates:CharacteristicsTemperatures are at or below freezingTypes:SubarcticLargest temperature differenceTundraPolar ice capsMostly ice, never above freezingPolar ice caps

Tundra

Subarctic

Local climatesMicroclimates climate of small areasEx. Cities

Studying climateClimatologist scientists who gather data to study past and present climate to find patternsTypes of data collectedIce coresSea floor sediment FossilsTree rings Ice Core Sampling

Climate modelsUse computers to simulate factors of climate to see affects of various climate conditions

Causes of climate changePlate tectonicsOrbital changesHuman activityVolcanic activityPlate tectonics:Changing continent location can change:Wind and currentsThese effect temperature and precipitationOrbital changes:The shape of Earths orbit Effect the distance from the sun (temp. affected)The wobble on Earths axis can cause changeChange in tilt change angle toward (temp. and season changes) Human activity:Pollution Cause global warmingDeforestationIncreases carbon dioxide and thus cause global warmingVolcanic activity:Sulfur and ash collect in the air and block solar radiation This decreases temp.Impacts of climate changeChanges in one thing affects all because they are connectedTypes of impacts:Global warmingDue to pollutionCause droughts and its problemsSea level changesMelting icecaps raise water flooding placesPrecipitation changesAffect all living organisms

What can we do:LawsAlternative energyReduce, reuse, recycleBetter cars and maintenanceSun's Energy & Climate ChangeAccording to the graph below, what wavelength of energy does the Earth receive in the greatest intensity?

Sun's Energy & Climatevisible light

Name the primary gaswhich absorbs ultraviolet (UV)from the sun.

Sun's Energy & ClimateozoneName the three primary gaseswhich absorb infrared (IR) energy

Sun's Energy & Climate

methanewater vaporWhy is the ozonelayer important?

Sun's Energy & Climate

It protects the Earth from UV which damages crops andcauses cancer in humans.Why is it warmer on acloudy night than on a clear night?

Sun's Energy & ClimateClouds (H2O vapor) absorb IR energy radiated by the Earth. On a clear night, the IR energy escapes back into space.

Explain the greenhouse effect. Include a diagram which shows the change in wavelength.

Apply It

Just like a greenhouse, the gases in the atmosphere ---especially CO2 --- absorb re-radiated infrared energy.

Climate Change

Ice AgesIce AgesIce Ages are cyclic.

The last one occurred ~12,000 years ago

The exact cause of what triggers an ice ageis not known

El Nio

A warming of thePacific Ocean.

Winters:West = StormySouth = Cold, wetNortheast = warmer

La NiaA cooling of the Pacific Ocean.

Dry in southeast. Cool, wet in northwest.

Global WarmingAverage global temperatures are increasing.Glaciers are melting.Ocean levels are rising.Warming is natural.

Humans are speeding up the process through increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2)

Mountain Glaciers

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