Download Climate

Climate Change
Agree or Disagree?
• 1. ____ Climate is the average weather
pattern of an area.
• 2. ____ There are three latitude zones:
tropical, temperate and polar.
What is CLIMATE
• Climate is a
yearlong
average of
weather patterns
over an area.
Factors That Affect Climate
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Latitude
Elevation
Topography
Water bodies
Global Winds
Vegetation
Latitude
• As latitude increases, the
intensity of solar energy
decreases.
• Three zones
–Tropical
–Temperate
–Polar
Climate Zones by Latitude
The Zones
Tropical Zone
• The region
between the
Tropic of Cancer
(23.5ºN) and the
Tropic of
Capricorn (23.5ºS)
• WARM YEAR
ROUND
The Zones
Temperate Zone
• The region
between 23.5º and
66.5º North or
South of the
equator.
• HOT summers
• COLD winters
The Zones
Polar Zone
• The region from
66.5º north and
south of the equator
to the poles.
• Very cold
temperature year
round.
Factors That Affect Climate
Elevation
• The higher the
elevation is, the
colder the climate.
• The elevation of an
area also
determines the
amount of
precipitation it
receives.
• Changing Climate Zones by USDA?
• Each zone is divided into smaller
segments to advise people what climates
will best grow different plants.
• Watch the newscast from 2007. What
possible consequences could there be for
agriculture if climate zones continue to
change?
Factors that Affect Climate
Topography
• Topography features
such as mountains
play an important role
in the amount of
precipitation that falls
over an areas.
– Mountain can
cause a rain
shadow event
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YPavdwY
beA
Factors That Affect Climate
Bodies of Water
Large bodies of water such as lakes and
oceans have an important effect on the
temperature of an area because the
temperature of the water body influences the
temperature of the air above.
Factors that Affect Climate
Atmospheric Circulation
• Global winds
distribute heat and
moisture around
Earth.
• Warm air moves to
the poles and cold air
moves to the equator
Factors that Affect Climate
Vegetation
• Affect both temperature and
the precipitation patterns in
an area through
transpiration.
• Transpiration is the
movement of water through
a plant and its release
through the leaves
How does closeness to a large
body of water affect climate?
moderates the temperature.
Water __________
Cooler summers. _______
Warmer winters.
_______
Cities A & B are located
at the same latitude.
City B is closer to a large
body of water.
Its temperature line is
flatter (moderated).
• Changes in Atmospheric Circulation Video
How to make a Climatograph
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8vAe4Hc
bAA
Climatographs
Climatographs
Climatographs
Climatographs
Climatographs
Worlds Climates
• Most commonly used system for classification of
climates
– Köppen Climate Classification Systems
• Uses mean monthly and annual values of
temperature and precipitation to classify
climates.
• Five principal groups
– Humid Tropical
– Dry
– Humid mid-latitude
– Polar
– Highland
• Climates 101
Coastal Area Climates
• The oceans heat up slowly but retain the
heat for a longer period of time.
• Sea Breezes blow inland bringing rain and
cools the land in the summer.
• In the winter, the coastal climates are
warmer and generally wet and mild.
Name the three primary gases
which absorb infrared (IR) energy
Why is the ozone
layer important?
It protects the Earth from UV
which damages crops and
causes cancer in humans.
Explain the greenhouse effect.
Include a diagram which shows the
change in wavelength.
Average global temperatures
are increasing.
Glaciers are melting.
Ocean levels are rising.
Warming is natural.
Humans are speeding up the process
through increased levels of
carbon dioxide (CO2)
Agree or Disagree?
• 5. ____ There are no processes that can
change climate.
• 6. ____The Greenhouse effect is the
natural warming of Earth’s lower
atmosphere and surface.
• 7. ____ Global warming is the result of
increased greenhouse gases, like CO2,
being released by humans.