Download Elevation Temperature Precipitation Distribution of Climate Regions

U1LG3: Climates & Biomes
Performance of Understanding
Learning Goal 3: Explain how physical processes create
climate regions and explain how climate influences the
distribution of biomes. (3A, 4A, 4C)
Criteria for Success:
• Explain the weather conditions and climate in relation to
annual changes in Earth-Sun relationships.
• Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents,
position on a continent and mountain barriers influence
temperature, precipitation and distribution of climate.
• Explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes.
Explain the weather conditions and climate in relation to annual changes in EarthSun relationships.
Earth’s Tilt and Revolution
The earth is tilted at an angle of 23 ½ degrees as it revolves around the sun
on its axis. Because of this different areas of the earth receive different
amounts of sun which creates the different seasons on earth.
Explain the weather conditions and climate in relation to annual changes in EarthSun relationships.
The Tropics
The Tropic of Cancer (23 ½ N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½ S) mark
the areas on the earth known as the Tropics which are the areas farthest
north and south where the sun’s rays shine directly overhead.
Explain the weather conditions and climate in relation to annual changes in EarthSun relationships.
Equator
The Equator receives the most direct sunlight and is thus warmer. When the
sun is directly over the Equator this is known as the Equinox (either Spring
or Fall). Days and nights all over the world are equal in length on the
Equinox.
Explain the weather conditions and climate in relation to annual changes in EarthSun relationships.
Polar Areas
Areas around the poles (north and south) receive less direct sunlight due to the
earth tilt and are thus much cooler than other places on earth.
Explain the weather conditions and climate in relation to annual changes in EarthSun relationships.
Seasons
Northern Hemisphere: The warmest months in the northern hemisphere are
May, June, and July due to the exposure to the most direct rays of the sun.
The summer solstice (June 21-22) marks the longest day of the year when
the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer. The coldest months are
November, December, and January when the sun’s rays are shining over the
southern hemisphere. The winter solstice, when the sun is directly above the
Tropic of Capricorn, is beginning of winter.
Explain the weather conditions and climate in relation to annual changes in EarthSun relationships.
Seasons
Southern Hemisphere: Location in the southern hemisphere has the opposite
seasons due to the earth’s tilt and revolution. The warmest months in the
southern hemisphere are November, December, and January due to the
exposure to the most direct rays of the sun over the Tropic of Capricorn. The
coldest months are May, June, and July when the sun’s rays are shining on the
northern hemisphere.
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a
continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and
distribution of climate.
Elevation
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution
of Climate
Regions
Areas of
higher
elevation are
much cooler
due to thinner
air’s inability to
hold heat, lack
of land to
reflect heat,
and the
conditions of
the
atmosphere.
Thinner air at
higher
elevations
makes it
difficult for air
to retain heat/
precipitation
causing
significant
snow at high
elevations.
Areas of high
elevation
occur around
the globe.
Climate Region Map
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a
continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and
distribution of climate.
Latitude
Temperature
Precipitation
Latitude has the
greatest impact
on climate since
it determines
the amount of
sunlight an area
receives.
Those closest
to the equator
receive more
sunlight (heat)
while those
farthest away
from the
equator receive
less.
Latitude has
some influence
on precipitation.
For example,
the hot rising air
around the
equator creates
continually
moist climates.
Distribution of
Climate
Regions
-Areas of low
elevation (areas
between the
tropics- 23 ½ N
and S) are
warm due to the
sun’s direct
rays.
-The middle
latitudes (23 ½
N/S - 66 ½ N/S)
have temperate/
seasonal
climates.
-The higher
latitudes (66 ½
N/S- 90) have
the coldest
climates due to
their distance
from direct
sunlight.
Climate Region Map
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a
continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and
distribution of climate.
Temperature
-Wind distributes
temperatures
across the earth’s
surface. Wind that
moves across
warmer or cool
water or land
transfers those
qualities.
Wind Systems
Precipitation
Precipitation on the
earth is moved and
distributed by
prevailing winds.
Distribution of
Climate Regions
- High pressure
situations are
generally
associated with fair,
sunny weather. As
high pressure is an
area of sinking air,
and air tends to dry
out as it sinks,
leaving sunny
skies.
Low pressure areas
are generally
cloudy/rainy areas - where strong
areas of low
pressure bring our
stormiest weather.
That's because it's
an area of rising
air, and as air rises,
it condenses into
clouds and rain
source:
http://www.komone
ws.com/weather/fa
q/4347756.html
Climate Region Map
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a
continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and
distribution of climate.
Ocean Currents
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution of
Climate
Regions
-Waters of the
ocean help
distribute the
earth’s heat.
These currents
influence the
temperature of
the areas nearby.
-Warm water
from the tropics
is circulated to
the poles and
cold water from
the poles is
circulated to the
equator.
-As in the case of
wind currents,
cool and warm
ocean currents
transfer
precipitation
around the world.
-Cooler oceans
near the poles
keep those areas
cool and warmer
waters near the
tropics also hold
heat.
Climate Region Map
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a
continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and
distribution of climate.
Position on a Continent
Temperature
Precipitation
-Due to water’s
better ability to
hold heat longer,
areas around
coastlines tend
to have warmer
climates than
areas that are
further away
from water.
-Locations
further inland
tend to have a
greater change
in temperature
between
seasons.
-Areas along the
coastlines are
influence more
by ocean
currents that
tend to bring
greater amounts
of precipitation to
coastlines.
Distribution of
Climate
Regions
Areas of the
world most
influenced by
continental
climates exist
between the
middle latitudes
and the poles.
Climate Region Map
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a
continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and
distribution of climate.
Mountain Barriers
Temperature
*See influence
of elevation on
temperature.
Precipitation
As air masses
move over
mountains
precipitation
(orographic)
tends to occur
on the windward
side of
mountains as
thinner air drops
it heat/
moisture. This
creates a wet
side (windward)
and a dry side
(leeward).
Distribution of
Climate
Regions
As mountains
can occur
anywhere on
earth, this
influence on
climate can as
well.
Climate Region Map
Explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes.
Biomes
The ecosystems (community of plants and animal) of a specific region are
called biomes. Biomes are divided into four main categories: forests,
grasslands, deserts, and tundra.
Explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes.
Influence of Climate
Temperature and precipitation determine the distribution of the world’s biomes.
Explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes.
Tropical Biomes: Areas in the lower latitudes are influenced by warmer
temperatures and often abundant precipitation. Biomes in these regions
include tropical rainforests and tropical grasslands.
Explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes.
Temperate Biomes: Areas in the middle latitudes have biomes adapted to
seasonal shifts in temperature in precipitation in temperature. Biomes in these
regions include deciduous forests and temperate grasslands. As the latitude
increases deciduous forest transition to mixed and coniferous forests.
Explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes.
Polar Biomes: Areas in the higher latitudes tend to be dominated by
coniferous forests in the warmer portions that transition to tundra in the
cooler areas.
Explain how climate influences the distribution of biomes.
Deserts: These biomes occur in areas with limited precipitation requiring
plants and animals adapted to such.