meteorology 2015 event overview first-let’s do an activity!

METEOROLOGY2015 EVENT OVERVIEW

FIRST-LET’S

DO

AN ACTIVITY!

Variations in Climate

Let’s begin by describing the ‘climates’ you will likely find in each of the rounded circles shown on the next slide.

Write your description in the space on the worksheet provided. Feel free to discuss with a buddy or friend.

Your description should take into account latitude/longitude, vegetation/physical relief, proximity to water, etc.

Describe seasonal climates such as ‘cold winters, warm summers with lots of precipitation year-round,’ ‘warm summers with little rain, cool wet winters,’ etc.

Be sure to ’name’ each climate

CLIMATE VARIATIONS

Mountain Climate

Desert Climate

Tropical Climate

Marine West Coast Climate

Humid Continental Climate

Wide variations in temperature and precipitation due to elevation

Less than 10” of rainfall annually. High variances in daily high/low temperatures common

Temperatures over 75° year round with high rainfall amounts

Temperature range usually 45-75° year round with abundant precipitation

Hot summers and cold winters with high humidity and precipitation year-round

CLIMATE CONCEPTS

The difference between weather and climate

‘Weather’ refers to the daily variations in the meteorological activities of a region.

‘Climate’ refers to established patterns of meteorological activities in a region.

CLIMATE CONCEPTS

Climate is influenced by several factors including:

Locational latitude

Elevation and relative location to mountains

Proximity to large bodies of water

Anthropogenic activities

Variations in solar activity and Earth orbital patterns

CLIMATE CONCEPTS

In studying the climate features of a region, you want students to be able to:

Use prior background knowledge and familiar associations to develop a preliminary description of its climate

Identify the key factors which may be influencing its climate patterns and use scientific concepts and principles to justify their descriptions

METEOROLOGY2015 EVENT OVERVIEW

Presented by:

Mark A. VanHeckeNSO Earth-Space Science Event Co-ChairEast China, MImvanhecke@comcast.net

DisclaimerThis presentation was prepared in July 2014 using draft rules.

There may be changes to event rules prior to publication.

Be sure to refer to the current year’s Official Science Olympiad Rule Book for the final draft of the event rules.

2015 Event OverviewThis year’s Meteorology event focus will be Climate

– The difference between weather and climate

– Solar radiation and Earth’s energy balance

– Climate zones

2015 Event Overview

– Oceanic and atmospheric circulation

– Natural climactic variations

– Anthropogenic effects on climate

Variations in Climate

Studying local variations in climate within your own state is a great way to introduce this concept.

VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE

Let’s look at local climate variations in four Michigan cities located in the ‘Lower’ Peninsula

East China

Lansing

Grand Haven

Gaylord

VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE

Working in groups of 2-4, use the tables shown on your Activity Sheet to briefly describe the local climates of each of these four Michigan cities.

VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE

EAST CHINA, MI

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

Locational Latitude

Solar Activity

Elevation

Proximity to large bodies of water

Anthropogenic Activities

X

X

X

VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATELANSING, MI

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

Locational Latitude

Solar Activity

Elevation

Proximity to large bodies of water

Anthropogenic Activities

X

X

X

VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATEGRAND HAVEN, MI

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

Locational Latitude

Solar Activity

Elevation

Proximity to large bodies of water

Anthropogenic Activities

X

X

VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATEGAYLORD, MI

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

Locational Latitude

Solar Activity

Elevation

Proximity to large bodies of water

Anthropogenic Activities

X

X

X

FIND THE BEST.COM

FIND THE BEST.COM

FIND THE BEST.COM

FIND THE BEST.COM

Conclusion

Use familiar associations to develop background knowledge and key event topics

Begin with a study of factors affecting climate in their own state and communities

Develop key event topics individually, then bring concepts together

Avoid political discussions of climate and climate change. You want to develop scientific literacy in your students