Intro to Weather Clip

Week 4 GLEs 6, 10, 17

Weather the condition of the

air at a certain time and a certain place.

Climate The weather of a

place averaged over a long period of time.

What are two major factors of weather and climate?

Precipitation

Temperature

Precipitation Precipitation – – the amount of the amount of water that fallswater that falls

Liquid water = rain

Frozen water = snow or sleet or hail

Rain Clip

HumidityThe amount of moisture in the air

What is the most important factor in determining the climate of a place?

Location of a place determines its climate

North Pole Tropics

Four Types of Climates

Tropical

Temperate

Subarctic

Polar

TROPICALA climate that is usually very warm all year. Warmest climates – nearest equator

SUBARCTICClimates closer to the North PoleCooler climates – mountains; temperatures

are lower the higher the elevation

TEMPERATEclimates between

tropical and subarctic climates with moderate temperatures.

places near an ocean have a milder climate

POLAR•The coldest climate•Further from the equator

DISASTERA disaster is an event that happens suddenly and causes great losses.Forces of nature such as storms and earthquakes can cause NATURAL DISASTERS.People can get hurt or even killed during these disasters.

TornadoesTornadoes often occur in the South or Midwest.Tornadoes happen when wind spins.It looks like a funnel cloud and touches the ground.They move fast.They can spin up to 300 mph.

What’s bad about a tornado?They destroy homes and cities.They can kill or seriously injure people.They form quickly and strike fast.There is little to no warning a tornado is coming.They are sometimes called “Killer Storms.”

HurricanesThreaten places near the coast.Hurricanes are storms that form over the ocean.They must have at least 75 mph winds to be considered a hurricane.Hurricanes usually strike the Gulf Coast or Atlantic states.

What’s bad about hurricanes?They can seriously hurt people.Weathermen can tell when a hurricane is coming several days before it strikes.

Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. It caused great damage along the Gulf Coast. New Orleans was flooded. Many people died or were left homeless.

EarthquakesThey happen when part of the Earth’s crust moves.Some earthquakes are small.Some are big.It feels like the earth is shaking.

What’s bad about earthquakes?There is no warning for earthquakes.They can cause buildings and bridges to fall down.They can cause gas lines to rupture and start fires.Many people can be killed or seriously injured.

VolcanoesOpenings in the earth’s surface.Usually on mountains.Many volcanoes erupt. They shoot out lava and ash.

What’s bad about volcanoes?Lava is melted rock.It’s red-hot liquid.Lava and ash can bury buildings or people in only a few seconds.Lava oozes along a little at a time. It cannot be stopped.

FloodsFloods happen when water rises and covers areas it normally doesn’t.Heavy storms and hurricanes can cause flooding.People who live along rivers have to worry about flooding. (Lots of rain causes rivers to flood.)Hurricane Katrina caused levees to break and parts of New Orleans and all St. Bernard Parish to flood.

Wild FiresWild fires are fires that burn out of control.Sometimes people start fires.

Old cigarettesCampfires

Fires can start naturally.Lightning strikes

Wildfires burn fast and cause people to lose their homes.

How do natural disasters affect people?

People along the east and Gulf Coast prepare for hurricanes.

EvacuatePrepareRebuild

People in the Midwest and South deal with tornadoes.Build sheltersSirensTornado drills.

Natural DisastersNatural disasters sometimes destroy homes and businesses.They can affect the economy.

Hurricanes in the Gulf causes oil prices and gas to go up. They can’t get the oil.Flooding destroys crops.Wildfires destroy forests.