Download Water, Weather and Climate

Water, Weather and Climate
Curriculum outcome 311-9
Describe the interaction of the ocean currents, winds,
and regional climates
What has a large effect on world climates?
Ocean currents have a large effect on world climates
How might a lake or ocean affect the weather of an area
during the summer and winter?
In the summer, a lake or ocean might affect the weather by
cooling it and increasing precipitation.
In the winter, the water body tends to warm the area and
increase precipitation.
Cities A and B lie at about the same latitude and both are close
to water. Which city do you think has the larger body of water
next to it? Why?
City A is Toronto
City B is Halifax
Why does a large body of water affect the weather and climate of
an area?
A large body of water helps to moderate temperature, making
the land warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. An area
can experience an increase precipitation depending on the wind.
How do you think the Alaska current affects the climate of western
British Columbian and southern Alaska? Why?
Since the Alaska current comes from warmer water in the
south, it has a warming effect on the lands it passes near.
What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans and fresh
water?
~70%
What nickname is given to our planet because of the
percentage of water coverage?
Blue Planet
Understanding Concepts
What is the difference between climate and
weather?
Climate: The historical record of average daily and
seasonal weather events.
Weather:
Description of the physical
conditions of the atmosphere
(moisture, temperature, pressure,
and wind).
In other words, look out your window any day, any time and you see
weather. Look out your window every day for a month or longer, observe
the weather each day, and you can determine the climate.
Global Climate
What are the factors that affect the weather condition?
Temperature
Pressure
Humidity (moisture content)
Wind speed and direction
What affects climate?
Latitude – how far you are from equator
Oceans
Topography – shape of the land
Altitude – how high you are (sea level vs mountain)
Earth winds
What heats up more quickly water or land?
Land heats up more quickly.
Because the air above the
ground is hot and the air above
the water is cool. Also, land has
a low heat capacity.
Describe the effect that the Labrador current has on Newfoundland.
The Labrador current is a cold current so Newfoundland is colder
than other locations at the same latitude
The Labrador Current
Transports Arctic and
sub-polar water south
along the Atlantic
Canadian coast