Download Introduction to Climate Presentation

Climate
Section 1 What is
Climate?
Explain the difference between weather and climate.
Identify the factors that determine climates
What is Climate?
•
Climate is the
average
weather
conditions in an
area over a
long period of
time.
Latitude and Climate
•
Latitude is the distance north or
south, measured in degrees, from the
equator.
•
How does Latitude affect Climate?
•
Latitude determines the amount of
solar energy a particular area
receives. Influences a Climate’s
Temperature
•
The closer a location is to the equator
the more direct sunlight it receives
resulting in warmer temperatures.
•
The closer a location is to poles the
less direct sunlight it receives
resulting in cooler temperatures.
Seasons and Latitude
•
Due to the Earth’s tilted axis at
23.5o, during the winter the
northern hemisphere is titled
away from the sun resulting in
cooler temperatures, during
the summer the the northern
hemisphere is tilted towards
the sun resulting in warmer
temperatures. This also means
the opposite is true for the
southern hemisphere and its
seasons.
Prevailing Winds
•
Winds that blow
mainly from one
direction, influence a
climate’s moisture
and temperature.
Winds that form and
blow from water carry
moist air. Winds that
form and blow over
land carry dry air.
Geography
•
Mountains can affect the
climate by influencing the
temperature and precipitation.
Elevation on mountains result
in lower temperatures
regardless of latitude.
Mountains block the prevailing
winds from blowing across a
continent, changing the
amount of moisture the wind
carries.
Ocean Currents
•
Surface currents are
streamline movements at or
near the surface of the ocean
carrying either warm or cold
water.
How do Ocean Currents affect
climates of different locations?
•
Surface currents carry warm
or cool water to different
locations. The surface
temperature of the water
affects the temperature of the
air above it. Warm currents
heat the surrounding air and
cause warmer temperatures
while cooler currents cause
cooler air temperatures.
Section Review
•
1.What is the difference between weather and climate?
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2. How do Mountains affect Climate?
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3. Describe how air temperature is affected by ocean surface
currents.
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4.How would seasons be different if the Earth did not tilt on its axis?
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5. Why are the poles colder than the equator?
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6. Is precipitation more likely to occur when the prevailing winds
are formed from warm air or when they are formed from cold air?
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7. Why are temperatures milder in Iceland than in Greenland?