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Article
• http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaan/climate/climate_weather.html
Climate
• Weather: The current conditions of the
atmosphere
• Climate: The long term weather patterns of an
area
What is the difference between
weather and climate?
• Weather is short term, climate is over the long
term
• Weather changes rapidly, climate changes
slowly
Why does earth have seasons?
Because it is tilted at a 23.5⁰ angle
Reason for the Seasons
Summer Solstice link
• Summer Solstice: June 22nd or 23rd- the longest day
of the year
• The northern hemisphere tilted toward the sun
• Earth is the furthest from the sun in its orbit
• north pole
Autumn or September Equinox
• Autumn Equinox: September 21st or 22nd
• Earth is not tilted towards or away from the sun
• Day and night are 12 hours each
Winter Solstice
• Winter Solstice: December 22nd or 23rd - shortest
day of the year
• The northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun
• Earth is at its closest position to the sun
• Arctic (north pole)
• Antarctica (south pole)
• land of the midnight sun
Spring/March Equinox
• Spring, March or Vernal Equinox: March 20th or
21st
• Earth is not tilted toward or away from the Sun
• Day and night are 12 hours each
• link
Review
• When the earth is tilted toward the sun, it is
_______________.
SUMMER
• When the earth is tilted away from the sun, it
is _______________________.
WINTER
• When the earth is not tilted towards or away
from the sun it is either _______________
or
SPRING
________________
AUTUMN
Latitude
• Latitude: how far away north or south of the
equator a place is
• Affects the amount of solar radiation the area
gets
• 3:00 to 5:28
Tropics
• Tropics: 0-23° N and S latitude
• Gets the most direct solar radiation
• No seasonal changes
Temperate Regions
•
•
•
•
Temperate: 23° - 66° N and S latitude
Gets less direct solar radiation
Has seasonal changes
We live about 42° N latitude
Polar Regions
• Polar Regions: 66° - 90° N and S latitude
• Gets the least direct solar radiation
• Cold year round
Angle of Insolation
• Angle of insolation: The angle at which the
sun’s rays hit the Earth
• The larger the angle of insolation, the warmer
the temperatures
Angle of Insolation
• Angle of insolation at the equator: ~90⁰ = warmest
temperatures
• Angle of insolation at the poles: ~25⁰ = coldest
temperatures
• Winter angle: 30°
• Summer angle: 75°
• Fall/Spring angle: 50⁰
Topography
• Topography: The surface features of an area
• topography
How can elevation influence climate?
Topography
• Mountain regions: higher elevations have
colder climates
What areas are going to have milder
climates costal or inland areas?
How are the temperatures in Dallas
and San Diego going to compare?
Which will have a highest average
annual temperature?
77 °F
96 °F
Which will have a lowest average
annual temperature?
Which will have a lowest average
annual temperature?
65 °F
57 °F
Which city, San Diego or Dallas has a
smaller temperature variation?
Ocean and Lake Effects
• Ocean and Lake Effects: Near an ocean or lake
there is more moisture in the air causing milder
temperatures
Ocean and Lake Effect
• Higher humidity = more precipitation
• Water heats up and cools down slower than
land
Rain Shadow
• Rain Shadow: An area that is shadowed by a
mountain range
• Warm, moist air gets pushed up over the mountain
• When it gets to the other side, the air is dry
Local Climates
• How are the conditions on the left side different
from the conditions on the right side of the street?
Local Climates
• Why are they different?
How is the climate near the lake and the
climate in the distance different?
Why are the different?
Local Climates
• Local Climates: influenced by, Vegetation
density, Elevation, Proximity to water, and
incoming solar radiation
What does this graph indicate?
Why is it warmer over the city?
Local Climates
• Heat Island Effect: pavement and buildings in
cities have a low albedo
• Cities absorb more heat so it is warmer there