Download Climates

Climates
Climate is…
 The
long-term weather patterns for
an area.
–Climate includes the annual
variations of temperature,
precipitation, wind, etc.
 Ex:
NJ is cold in January, Florida is
warm and wet in the summer
Latitude

At the equator, sunlight hits the Earth vertically
and is concentrated on a smaller surface area.
Away from the equator, sunlight hits the Earth
at an angle and spreads over a larger surface
area.



Near equator (0°-23.5°)= tropics (warm)
(23.5°– 66.5°) = temperate zone (moderate)
Near poles (66.5°-90°) = polar (cold)
Latitude & Climates

The amount of solar radiation received on Earth
decreases in intensity from the equator to
the poles.
Climates are caused by:
2) Air Circulation
 Warm air rises & cold air
sinks
- Wind is formed when cold air
replaces rising warm air.
 Warm air can hold more
water vapor than cold air
- Areas with warmer
temperatures tend to receive
large amounts of rain.
Climates are caused by:
3) Oceanic Circulation Patterns–
Water heats up and cools off slower than
land
Areas near water (coastal) tend to be
warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Oceanic Circulation
El Nino – short term (6-18 months) periodic
change in which the water is warmer than usual
Pacific Ocean. Results in:
- Stronger winds in the western Pacific Ocean
- Warmer water on the west coast of North &
South Americas
- Increased rainfall in the USA & South America
- Droughts in Indonesia & Australia.
- Decreased number of hurricanes in the Atlantic
Ocean
Ocean Circulation
La Nina – short term (6-18 months) periodic
change in which the water is colder than
usual Pacific Ocean. Results in:
- Weaker winds in the western Pacific Ocean
- Colder water on the west coast of North &
South Americas
- Decreased rainfall in the USA & South America
- Floods in Indonesia & Australia.
- Increased number of hurricanes in the Atlantic
Ocean
Climates are caused by:
4) Topography–
– Temperatures decrease with increased
altitude
The woman is wearing
short sleeves, but there
is snow on top of the
mountain behind her.
Topography

Orographic Lifting (high mountains)-
Moist ocean air moves up the coastal side of a mountain range. It
condenses and rains or snows. Air then becomes drier as it
crosses the range.
Other Influences on Earth’s
Climate



The Sun can emit varying amounts of UV
rays. More UV rays = more ozone in the
stratosphere, warming the atmosphere.
Volcanic Eruptions release gases and ash
into the atmosphere, forming dark clouds
that can block sunlight and decrease
temperatures.
Seasons change because the Earth’s axis
is tilted. When the Earth is tilted toward the
Sun (summer), the temperature increases.
When the Earth is tilted away from the Sun
(winter), the temperature decreases.
Seasonal Changes
The reason for the seasons is the
TILT OF THE EARTH!
Seasonal Changes