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Earth Science Notes
Climate
Climate
• Climate – a pattern of weather that occurs
in an area over a long period of time
Factors Affecting Climate
• Latitude of the Earth – the closer to the
equator the more direct the sunlight is
– Tropics – between 23.5oN and 23.5oS latitude
– Temperate – 23.5 – 66.5o
– Polar 66.5o – 90o
Factors Affecting Climate
• Large bodies of water – water heats up
and cools down more slowly than land
– Coastal regions are cooler in the summer and
warmer in the winter
Factors Affecting Climate
• Ocean currents – warm currents warms
the land they pass
Factors Affecting Climate
• Altitude - the higher up it is the less air
particles there are to absorb the radiation
from the sun
Factors Affecting Climate
• Mountains – keep moister air on one side
Factors Affecting Climate
• Cities – air pollution can trap heat
Climate Types
Koppen’s System of Climate Classification
• Examines temperature, precipitation, and plant
types
• Six Climate Types
–
–
–
–
–
–
Tropical
Mild
Dry
Continental
Polar
high elevation
Organisms’ Response to Climate
Types
Adaptations – response to climate
• Structural
– Fur – mammals are insulated from cold
temperatures
– Thick fleshy stems – hold moisture
Organisms’ Response to Climate
Types
Adaptations – response to climate
• Behavior
– Hibernation – period of reduced activity during
cold months
– Estivation – similar to hibernation, occurs
during periods of intense heat
Climate Changes
Seasons – periods of climate change
caused by the amount of solar radiation an
area receives
• Caused by the Earth's tilt toward the sun
– Tilted toward = summer
– Tilted away = winter
• Tropics experience little change
• High altitudes near pole experience great
change
Climate Changes
Climate Changes
El Nino – an occasional climate event in which
strong pacific winds weaken and sometimes
reverse.
What Is an El Niño?
• The waters off the west coast of South America
are normally very cold for their latitudes. At
Lima, Peru (12°S), ocean temperatures vary
from about 16°C in the winter to about 20°C in
the summer. This cold current of water extends
nearly to the equator before turning to the west.
• Normally, for a period of just a few weeks
around Christmas each year, this cold water is
replaced by a warm current. This event is called
El Niño, Spanish for "the child." Every 2 to 7
years, however, this warm water event lasts
much longer and is much more pronounced.
Then it is called a major El Niño event.
El Nino – Spanish for “The Nino”
Climate Changes
Effects of El Nino
• Ocean temps near Peru increase
• Jet stream is altered, changing wind and
precipitation patterns around the world
• Africa and Australia may experience
droughts
• La Nina – winds blowing across the pacific
are stronger than normal
Effects of El Nino
• Top is under
normal
conditions
• Bottom is
under El
Nino
conditions
Summary
•
•
•
•
How does climate relate to weather?
What factors affecting Earth’s Climate?
What are the different types of climates?
What are some causes of climate change?
– El Nino / La Nina