Download BCQ 10/2/12

BCQ 10/2/12
What is weather?
What is climate?
What is temperature?
What is the Gulf Stream?
What are the four factors affecting climate?
Precipitation and
Why Do We Need It?
Water vapor plays an IMPORTANT
role in many atmospheric
processes.
Without it….we wouldn’t
have clouds, rain, or
storms
Evaporation
Water changes from a LIQUID to a GAS
Mostly water is evaporated from Oceans.
Some also comes from lakes, rivers,
soils, and vegetation
Condensation
• Water vapor changes from a GAS to a LIQUID
• Ice cold drinks
• Clouds, dew, fog, or frost
• Snow is made up of ice crystals that are formed
in clouds
• Hail are ice chunks that form in storm clouds
Is Precipitation Distributed
Evenly Around the World?
• NO
• Most precipitation falls in the
equatorial lows and the subpolar lows
in the middle latitudes
Elevation and Mountain Effects
• An increase in elevation ( height on Earth’s surface
above sea level causes a drop in temperature)
• Ever wonder why we have snow on mountain peaks?
• Temperature drops 3.5 degrees F per 1,000 feet of
elevation
• This is why we can have snow on mountain tops
even though the base of the mountain may be
VERY warm
Orographic Effect
• Mountains influence this effect
• Orographic Effect: moist air pushes against a mountain and
forces the air to rise
• Rising air cools and condenses, forming clouds, and causing
precipitation
• This side of the mountain receives a great amount of
precipitation (WINDWARD SIDE)
Rain Shadow
• The side of the mountain facing AWAY from the wind is the
LEEWARD SIDE
• As the air moves the leeward side, it warms and dries
• This is why we find deserts located in rain shadow areas
• Examples: Sierra Nevada,
Storms…..(cyclones)
• Sudden and violent weather events
• Cause high winds, floods, blizzards, lightning, and high seas
• Caused by low pressure, unstable air
• Tornadoes: middle latitude storms, spiraling air that can
destroy anything in their path
• The U.S. experiences the most tornadoes 
• Hurricanes: most powerful and destructive tropical cyclones
• Rotating storms bring heavy rain and high winds
• Typhoons: Same storm…DIFFERENT name for the western Pacific
Ocean
• Destroy beaches, flooding