TemperatureTemperature

Basic Concepts, Controls and Global Basic Concepts, Controls and Global PatternsPatterns

OverviewOverview TemperatureTemperature

Relevance to Physical Relevance to Physical GeographyGeography

Temperature ScalesTemperature Scales Temperature ControlsTemperature Controls

LatitudeLatitude AltitudeAltitude CloudsClouds Continents and OceansContinents and Oceans

Global PatternsGlobal Patterns Urban MicroclimateUrban Microclimate

TemperatureTemperature The average kinetic energy of The average kinetic energy of

particles of matter (atoms, molecules)particles of matter (atoms, molecules) A direct consequence of insolationA direct consequence of insolation A major component of A major component of climateclimate

Increases moisture content of airIncreases moisture content of air Increases availability of water (rainfall; Increases availability of water (rainfall;

weather)weather) Differentiates biomesDifferentiates biomes Sculpts landscapesSculpts landscapes

Increases rates of chemical reactionsIncreases rates of chemical reactions Weathering (creation of landforms)Weathering (creation of landforms) Decomposition (soil formation, nutrient Decomposition (soil formation, nutrient

cycling)cycling)

Measuring Measuring TemperatureTemperature

Temperature scalesTemperature scales FahrenheitFahrenheit CelsiusCelsius KelvinKelvin

absolute zeroabsolute zero

Representing TemperatureRepresenting Temperature

The measures below are used in the The measures below are used in the assessment of climate for a given area. assessment of climate for a given area. Notice that each builds on the other.Notice that each builds on the other.

Daily Mean TemperatureDaily Mean Temperature Average of the highAverage of the highest and lowest temperature on est and lowest temperature on

a given daya given day Monthly Mean TemperatureMonthly Mean Temperature

AAverage of daily mean temperatures in a given verage of daily mean temperatures in a given monthmonth

Annual Temperature RangeAnnual Temperature Range The mathematical difference between the highest The mathematical difference between the highest

and lowest monthly mean temperature in a yearand lowest monthly mean temperature in a year

Principle Temperature Principle Temperature ControlsControls

LatitudeLatitude InsolationInsolation Daylength, sun angleDaylength, sun angle

AltitudeAltitude Normal lapse rate (6.4 CNormal lapse rate (6.4 Coo/km)/km) Lower average temperaturesLower average temperatures Greater difference between daytime maximum Greater difference between daytime maximum

and nighttime minimum temperaturesand nighttime minimum temperatures Increased nighttime coolingIncreased nighttime cooling

CloudsClouds Albedo reduces daytime maximum Albedo reduces daytime maximum

temperaturetemperature Greenhouse effect raises the nighttime low Greenhouse effect raises the nighttime low

temperaturetemperature

Continental and Maritime differencesContinental and Maritime differences EvaporationEvaporation

Greater over oceansGreater over oceans Absorbs energy (latent heat), moderates Absorbs energy (latent heat), moderates

temperaturestemperatures TransparencyTransparency

Heating of land occurs mainly at the surfaceHeating of land occurs mainly at the surface Light penetrates water to a depth of 60m on Light penetrates water to a depth of 60m on

averageaverage Distributes heat energy Distributes heat energy

Specific HeatSpecific Heat The amount of heat energy something can absorb The amount of heat energy something can absorb

without changing phasewithout changing phase Water has a high specific heat capacityWater has a high specific heat capacity

water heats and cools slower than landwater heats and cools slower than land moderates temperaturesmoderates temperatures

MovementMovement Convection currents in the ocean distribute heatConvection currents in the ocean distribute heat Ocean currents Ocean currents

Circulate heat latitudinallyCirculate heat latitudinally

Maritime EffectMaritime Effect The ocean’s ability to absorb heat The ocean’s ability to absorb heat

moderates temperaturesmoderates temperatures Decreases the range of temperaturesDecreases the range of temperatures

average high temperatures are loweraverage high temperatures are lower average low temperatures are higheraverage low temperatures are higher

Continental EffectContinental Effect Isolated from the ocean’s influenceIsolated from the ocean’s influence Increases the range of temperaturesIncreases the range of temperatures

Global Temperature Global Temperature PatternsPatterns

TerminologyTerminology IsothermsIsotherms Thermal EquatorThermal Equator

TrendsTrends The thermal equator shifts toward the The thermal equator shifts toward the

subsolar pointsubsolar point Over Continents, isotherms dip toward the Over Continents, isotherms dip toward the

thermal equatorthermal equator Annual RangeAnnual Range

Northern Hemisphere influenced more by Northern Hemisphere influenced more by continental effect (high temperature range)continental effect (high temperature range)

Southern Hemisphere influenced more by Southern Hemisphere influenced more by maritime effectmaritime effect