Climate

Factors that Affect ClimateClimateAverage weather conditions over a long period of timeDefined by Many FactorsTemperaturePrecipitationLatitudeHeat AbsorptionTopography

Temperature and PrecipitationTwo Ways to Measure TemperatureAverage Monthly TemperatureYearly Temperature RangeTwo Ways to Measure TemperatureAverage Monthly PrecipitationYearly Precipitation Range

Example Mid Latitude

Example - Tundra

LatitudeDifferent Latitudes Receive Different Amounts of Solar EnergyDetermines Temperature and Wind Patterns

Latitude Solar EnergySolar EnergyHigher Latitudes Receive Smaller Amounts of Solar EnergyLower Latitudes Receive Larger Amounts of Solar Radiation

Latitude Global Wind PatternsGlobal Wind PatternsResults from the uneven heating of the EarthWarm Air Creates Low Pressure (Equator)Cold Air Creates High Pressure (Poles)Results in Wind

Heat Absorption and ReleaseDifferent areas differ in how they absorb and release heatWater Absorbs and Releases Heat at a Slow Rate Hence the reason for our late springLand Absorbs and Releases Heat at a Faster RateInfluences the amount of heat available to heat the land

Heat Absorption and ReleaseControlled by the FollowingSpecific Heat of Water and LandEvaporation RatesOcean CurrentsEl Nino Southern OscillationSeasonal Winds

Heat Absorption - Specific Heat and EvaporationWater has a high Specific HeatThe amount of energy required to raise the temperature of water one degree Celsius EvaporationTemperature Changes of Land and Sea vary because of EvaporationEvaporation affects Water more than it does Land

Heat Absorption - Ocean CurrentsIf wind from the water is blown towards shore it will greatly influence the weather on the landEX. Northwest Europe and Gulf StreamEl Nino Southern OscillationEl Nino Warm Water PhaseLa Nina Cool Water PhaseHas Global Impact on Weather3 10 Year Cycle

Ocean Currents Ocean Conveyor Belt

El Nino Southern Oscillation

1997-1999

Heat Absorption - MonsoonsCaused by the Differentiated Heating of Land and WaterSummerLand warms faster than waterWarm air rises over land and is replaced by cool ocean airRainWinterLand cools faster than waterCool air over land is flows away from land Drought

It Just Started Raining and Raining

It Stopped.

TopographyRecall topography is the surface features of the landSuch features like mountains can control climateTwo Factors ElevationRain Shadows

Topography - ElevationAs one rises in elevation, the average temperature decreasesEven at the equator the peaks of mountains can be capped with snow

Topography Elevation vs. Latitude

Topography Mountains Mountains cause air masses to riseAs air masses rise the cool and loose their moistureResults in lush vegetation on windward side of the mountain, and desert on leeward side of the mountainExamplesAlpsHimalayans Sierra Nevada

Topography Rain Shadow

Topography Rain Shadow

Topography Tibetan Plateau

Types of ClimatesThree Distinct Climate RegionsTropicalMid - latitudePolar

Factors that Affect Biomes

Climates of the World

Global Climate ChangePotential Causes of Global ChangePlate TectonicsDisrupt Ocean CurrentsDisrupt Wind PatternsOrbital ChangesMilankovitch Theory3 Motions on a 20,000 100,000 Year CyclesHuman ActivityCarbon DioxideVolcanic Activity

Milankovitch Theory

Proof is in the Data?

Proof is in the Data?

Potential ImpactsPotential Impacts of Climate ChangeGlobal WarmingSea Level Changes