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