Download 2.3- Winds and Ocean Currents

2.3- Winds and Ocean Currents
Pages 62-66
Wind
• Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a
certain time and pace.
• Wind direction and speed are important to forecasting
weather.
• Global winds circulate heat around the atmosphere.
Ocean Currents
• An ocean current is a
mass of moving water.
• As ocean currents
move water, they carry
heat around the globe.
• Currents transfer heat
around the planet
through convection.
Surface currents
• The uneven heating of Earth’s
surface causes wind to blow.
• As winds blow over the ocean
surface, they cause surface
currents to blow. (Surface
currents reach about 300-500
feet down into the ocean.)
• Surface currents carry warm
water away from the equator
and cool water away from the
poles.
Weather and Climate
• The ocean, air, and sun
work together to create
weather.
• Climate describes the
weather conditions in a
place over a long time.
• Scientist use amount of
precipitation and
temperature when they
classify climates.
Review Questions- answer these questions IN COMPLETE
SENTENCES in the summary/reflection part of your notes.
1. How does heat circulate around the earth?
2. What is weather?
3. What causes wind to blow?