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Earth’s Climate
S6E2. Students will understand the effects of the relative
positions of the earth, moon, and sun.
c. Relate the tilt of the earth to the distribution of sunlight
throughout the year and its effect on climate
Objective (s):
1. SWBAT analyze the tilt of the earth to the distribution of sunlight throughout the
year IOT understand its effects on climate.
2. SWBAT analyze the tilt of the earth to the distribution of sunlight throughout
the year IOT compare and contrast the different climate regions found on Earth.
What is the difference between
weather & climate?
 Weather:
Condition of the
atmosphere at a particular place and
time (short term).
 Climate: Average conditions of
temperature, precipitation, winds and
clouds in an area (long term).
What Causes Climate?
Mainly, there two factors that describe the
climate of a region:
1. Temperature (cold or warm climate)
2. Precipitation (dry or humid climate)
Factors Affecting Temperature
1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Distance From Large Bodies of
Water
4. Ocean Currents
Factors Affecting Temperature: 1. Latitude
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Latitude: The distance from the equator
measured in degrees
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Temperature Zones
 Tropical Zones
 Temperate Zones
 Polar Zones
Some important latitudes
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Hemisphere – Half of a sphere.
Northern Hemisphere – The half of the earth that is
north of the equator.
Southern Hemisphere – The half of the earth that is
south of the equator.
Tropic of Cancer - Also referred to as the Northern
Tropic. It is 23.5° north of the Equator.
Tropic of Capricorn - Also referred to as
the southern Tropic. It is 23.5° south of the Equator.
Arctic Circle - It is 66.5° north of the Equator.
Antarctic Circle - It is 66.5° south of the Equator.
Tropical Zone
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The area near the equator, between about
23.5°north to about 23.5° south latitude.
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The tropical zone receives direct or nearly
direct sunlight all year round, making
climates very warm.
Temperate Zone
The areas between the
tropical and the polar
zones from about 23.5°
to 66.5° north or south
latitude.
In summer, the sun’s rays strike the temperate zones
more directly. In winter the sun’s rays strike at a lower
angle.
The weather ranges from warm or hot in summer to
cool or cold in winter.
Polar Zone
The areas near both
poles, from about
66.5° to 90° north or
south latitude.
Dark blue = Polar Zone
The sun’s rays always strike al a lower angle near the
North and South poles.
The area near both poles have cold climates.
Factors Affecting Temperature: 2. Altitude
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Altitude: Elevation above sea level
High land areas or mountains have
cooler climates
Higher altitudes = cooler temperatures
Lower altitudes = warmer temperatures
This is a critical Thinking question No. 4 in your INB.
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Factors Affecting Temperature: 3. Distance
from large bodies of water
Marine Climates: Oceans or large lakes
affect temperatures. Oceans moderate the
temperatures of nearby land. The climate of
such coastal regions will have relatively warm
winters and cool summers.
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Continental Climates: Land away from
oceans experience colder winters and
warmer summers.
Explain. (INB – Critical Thinking Question # 6)
Why much of west coasts of North America, South America, and Europe have
mild climates and most of Canada and Russia and Central United States
extreme climate?
Factors Affecting Temperature: 4. Ocean Currents
Oceans and lakes can affect temperatures
/climate
 Ocean Currents - warm and cold currents
 3 examples: Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift,
California Current
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Factors Affecting Precipitation
1. Prevailing Winds
2. Mountain Ranges
Factors Affecting Precipitation:
1. Prevailing Winds
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Prevailing winds are winds that blow from one
direction.
The amount of water vapor in an air mass
influences how much rain or snow will fall.
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The amount of water vapor in the wind depends
on where the wind comes from.
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Winds that blow inland from oceans or large
lakes carry more water vapor than winds blow
from over land.
Factors Affecting Precipitation: 2. Mountain Ranges
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Air forced up the
mountain cools,
condenses, and creates
clouds
Falls as precipitation on
windward side (side of the
mountain range that faces the
oncoming wind).
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Leeward side (the side of
the mountain range that faces
away from the oncoming
wind)of mountain has drier
conditions
Answer: (INB – Critical Thinking Question # 9)
1. Define Rain Shadowing.
2. Which is a rain shadow area? 1. Windward or 2. Leeward
Microclimates
 Microclimates:
small region with
specific climate conditions
 Examples:
parks, cities, areas near
lakes or ponds, gardens, etc.
Answer:
1.How do cities affect climate?
2. Why is it cooler and humid in a grove of trees than in an
open field?