Climate and Weather

CGF3M1

Physical Geography

Weather All of the atmospheric

activities that occur at a given place at a given time

Weather conditions include temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, precipitation, barometric pressure and cloud cover

Weather Weather is the short

term characteristics of the atmosphere

Weather forecasts can change over a short period of time as a result of changes in the atmosphere

Refers to the day to day changes of the atmosphere above a particular location

Climate

The accumulation of daily and seasonal weather events over a long period of time

Weather stations located across the globe collect data on an ongoing basis.

Weather data allows us to see the climate picture of a particular location

Weather and Climate Change

Weather is something we talk about daily and the changes to our climate is something that has not gone somewhat unnoticed over the past 20 years

Weather and Climate Change

It is known that the Earth cycles through warming and cooling periods

Evidence of this trend is documented in history (example The Vikings)

Weather and Climate Change

Weather and Climate have a huge impact on our daily lives

How you dress, how you move, where you live, what you live in, what you do, what we grow, primary industries, shaping of history etc.

Climate Controls

The factors that produce the climate in any given place-the climatic controls-are the same that produce our day-to-day weather

4 basic variables/controls

7 different factors

Climate Controls

4 Controls Insolation Elevation Proximity of water

bodies Ocean currents

7 Factors Latitude Ocean Currents Wind and air

masses Elevation Relief Near water

Climate ControlsInsolation

The equator receives direct sunlight and therefore temperatures are warmer

As we move away from the equator the suns rays are less direct and are spread over a larger area.

Colder temperatures are a result

Climate ControlsElevation

Elevation (altitude) is the distance above sea level

As elevation increases temperature decreases

Heat energy from the sun is absorbed by the land, as you move away from the heat-radiating surface temperatures decrease

Climate ControlsElevation

Higher elevations have lower air pressure. This contributes to the colder temperatures

Temperatures drop about 6.4°C for every 1000m of altitude (Environmental lapse rate)

Climate ControlsElevation

The environmental lapse rate is the gradual decrease in temperature that occurs as one ascends a mountain

Varies with the amount of pollution and water vapour in the air

Climate ControlsElevation

Anomalies do occur reguarding temperatures in high places

It is possible for valleys to experience cooler temperatures due to sinking air

Climate ControlsProximity of water bodies

Water takes longer to warm up and cool down than land because it has the highest heat capacity of any common substance

It takes a great deal of energy to raise the temperature of water

Climate ControlsProximity of water bodies

Water is translucent therefore it absorbs sunlight

Maritime Climate: A set of atmospheric conditions (relatively mild winters and relatively cool summers) that results from proximity to a large body of water

Continental Climate: A set of atmospheric conditions that result in winters that are relatively cold and summers that are relatively hot sue to the absence of large water bodies

Climate ControlsProximity of water bodies

Climate ControlsOcean Currents

The movement of heat energy from the equator toward to poles warms some shorelines, cools others and influences precipitation patterns

Climate ControlsOcean Currents

Ocean currents influence the climates of the regions adjacent to them

Currents flowing out of polar regions are cold relative to the surround waters

Currents flowing outward from equatorial regions into the mid-latitudes are warm

Climate ControlsOcean Currents