Weather vs. Climate

Weather

• Over a short period of time

Climate

• Occur over a long period of time

Climate Zones

• The earth in divided into 6 climate zones• 2 Torrid Zones (warm all year)• 2 Temperate Zones (cooler and has seasons)• 2 Frigid Zones (cool to subzero all year)

Frigid

Frigid

Torrid

Torrid

Factors that affect climate

1. The sun– The sun strikes

the earth unevenly and certain parts of the earth receive more heat than others

2. Latitude – How far an area is from the equator

3. Elevation– Height above sea level– The higher you climb, the colder it gets

4. Large bodies of water– Precipitation and ocean currents affect climate

5. Mountain ranges

CLIMATES

• Wladimir Köppen developed classification system for climates

Tropical Climates

• Have high temperatures and heavy precipitation

1. Rainforest

2. Savanna

Dry Climate

1. Desert

• Desert – less than 10” of precipitation a year and big difference in nighttime and daytime temperatures

2. Steppe

Steppe – average 10-30” of rain a year

Mild Climates

1. Humid Subtropics

Humid subtropical – mild winters and hot, moist summers

2. Marine West Coast

Marine West Coast – dry winter with regular rainfall

3. Mediterranean

Mediterranean – found surrounding the Mediterranean Sea

Continental climates

• Seasonal extremes in temperature and precipitation

1. Humid Continental

Humid Continental – cold winters and warm to hot summers

2. Subpolar

Subpolar Climates – snow climates

Polar Climates

1. Polar Ice Cap

Polar icecap – permanent ice and snow

2. Tundra

Tundra – has snow, but has a short season when temperatures may rise above freezing

Highland Climates

• Resemble polar climates

Renewable vs nonrenewable resources

Renewable Resources

• Water• Soil• Air• Trees• Waterpower• Geothermal energy (heat from the Earth’s

interior)• Wind• Solar energy (energy from the sun)

Nonrenewable Resources

• Exist in limited quantities and cannot be replaced– Iron– Bauxite (make aluminum)– Fossil fuels (coal and petroleum)– Nuclear energy (uranium)