Download Climate Notes

Chapter 4: Weather
and Climate Notes
 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?
 Temperature
(cold or warm climate)
 Precipitation (dry or humid climate)
Factors Affecting Temperature

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Latitude
Altitude
Distance From Large Bodies of
Water
Ocean Currents
Convection

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In the atmosphere, the air is heated by land
& water (which absorbed solar energy and
changed this to heat).
The warm air rises, cools in the upper
troposphere and sinks back to Earth to be
warmed again. This makes a current.
Latitude


Latitude: The distance from the
equator measured in degrees
There are three convection
areas:
 Tropical Zones: warm climates
 Temperate Zones: ranging
temperatures
 Polar Zones: cold climates
Convection Currents

Convection happens on a global scale in the
atmosphere and causes global winds (6.4.9).
These winds then move weather systems and
surface ocean currents in particular directions.
Global Wind Patterns
Land and Sea Breezes

On a smaller scale, convection currents
near bodies of water can cause local winds
known as land and sea breezes.
Altitude

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Altitude: elevation above sea level
High land areas have cooler
climates
Higher altitudes = cooler
temperatures
Lower altitudes = warmer
temperatures
Distance From Large Bodies of Water

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Marine Climates: warmer
winters and cooler summers
Continental Climates: colder
winters and warmer summers
Ocean Currents
Oceans and lakes can affect
temperatures/climate
 Ocean Currents- streams of water within
the ocean that move in regular patterns
 3 examples: Gulf Stream, North Atlantic
Drift, California Current

Ocean Surface Currents

The surface currents of Earth’s oceans that
circulate warm and cold ocean waters in
convection patterns also influence the
weather and climates of the landmasses
nearby.
Gulf Stream Current


This warms SC & even Great Britain.
This is like sitting near a hot tub when it’s
snowing. You can get warm by just being
near the warm water.
California Current


This cools the west coast.
This is like sitting near the lake
when it’s hot. You can get cool
by just being near the cool
water.
Factors Affecting Precipitation


Prevailing Winds
Mountain Ranges
Prevailing Winds

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movement of air masses caused by
directional winds in a region
The amount of water vapor in an air
mass influences how much rain or
snow will fall
The amount of water vapor in the
prevailing wind depends on where the
wind comes from
Mountain Ranges

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Air forced up the
mountain cools,
condenses, and
creates clouds
Falls as
precipitation on
windward side
Leeward side of
mountain has drier
conditions
Microclimates
 Microclimates:
small region with
specific climate conditions
 Examples:
parks, cities, areas near
lakes or ponds, gardens, etc.