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Chapter 25 Climate
Chapter 25-1 What is Climate?
What is Climate?
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Key Terms
Weather- day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere.
components of weather; temperature, winds, moisture
Climate- average weather conditions of an area over many years.
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Temperature
Average daily= highest +lowest temperature / two.
Average Monthly= Daily averages/ Number of days of the month.
Average Yearly= Monthly averages/ 12.
Range= highest-lowest. (applies to monthly and yearly)
Precipitation- rainfall, snow, sleet, hail.
Monthly= Σ daily totals.
Yearly= Σ monthly totals.
Climate
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Chapter 13-2 Factors that Control Climate
Latitude- Distance north or south of the equator. Determines how much heat energy (insolation) an
area gets from the sun.
* Low latitudes warmer temperatures
Small temperature ranges (monthly/yearly)
Higher average temperatures (monthly/yearly)
• Low latitude precipitation
High yearly precipitation totals
Climate
* Higher latitudes colder temperatures.
Higher temperature ranges (monthly/yearly)
Lower average temperatures (monthly/ yearly)
Small daily temperatures
* Higher latitudes have small yearly rainfall totals
Climate
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Climographs
Climatic Factors
Altitude- Height above sea level.
* Lower altitudes have higher average temperatures (less Precipitation)
Higher altitudes have lower average temperatures (more precipitation)
Rising air cools, sinking air warms
Adiabatic Rate: Moist 3.5°F/1,000’ (1°c/160 m) -Dry Air 5.5°F/1,000’(1°c/100m)
Climate Factors
Mountains- topographic features that block air masses.
* These features have an impact when influenced by prevailing winds.
Climatic Factors
Ocean Currents- Rivers of water that run within the oceans.
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Ocean waters over tropical regions are warm. Ocean water over polar regions are
cold.
Winds that blow over ocean water- currents take on characteristics of those waters.
Climatic Factors
Distance to Water Bodies- How close a location is to a large water body will influence its
temperature and precipitation.
* Continental climates have large temperatures ranges.
* Marine climates have small to moderate temperature ranges.
* Continental climates have seasonal precipitation patterns with smaller amounts of
rainfall.
* Marine climates have larger amounts of rainfall with even distributions throughout
the year.
Climatic Factors
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Prevailing Winds- winds that always blow from the same direction as a result
of the coriolis effect.
• West Coast- Cool summers and mild winters.
* East Coast- Hot summers and cold winters.