CLIMATE
A region’s “general” weather conditions as established over a long period of time is known
as climate.
Climate is… ADD HERE
Lincoln, NE ~ 40˚N
Providence, RI ~ 40˚N
“How is it possible that two locations at the same
latitude can experience different climates?”
Climate
Regions
SUB-HUMID
SEMI-ARID
P ≅ PET
HUMID
P > PET
P = Annual Precipitation (moisture)
PET = Potential Evapotranspiration (temperature)
ARID
P < PET
Latitude
Planetary
Winds and
Pressure
Belts
Vegetatio
n
Factors
Affecting
Climate
Large
Bodies of
Water
Cloud
Cover
Elevatio
n
Ocean
Currents
Mountains
Climate Change due to
Latitude
The Earth receives maximum intensity and
fairly consistent duration of insolation
between 23 ½ ˚N and 23 ½ ˚S during its
revolution around the Sun.
Annual temperatures tend to… ADD HERE
Latitudes north of 23 ½ ˚N and latitudes
south of 23 ½ ˚S never receive direct
insolation and the duration of insolation
fluctuates.
Annual temperatures… ADD HERE
Climate Change due to
Latitude
Low
High
The location of pressure belts will alter the
moisture conditions at certain latitudes.
Low pressure belts
(convergence) are known
for… ADD HERE
Low
High
Low
High pressure belts
(divergence) are known
for… ADD HERE
Climate Change due to Large
Bodies of Water
Land tends to heat up and cool down more quickly than water (due to specific heat).
The temperature of a location near a large body of water will be moderated by its presence near the
water (MARINE CLIMATE)
The temperatures of locations far away from large bodies of water are not affected by the presence of
water (CONTINENTAL CLIMATE).
Lincoln, NE
(CONTINENTAL
CLIMATE)
There is no large
body of water
nearby to
moderate the
temperature of the
city.
Providence, RI
(MARINE
CLIMATE)
The Atlantic Ocean
helps to moderate
the temperature of
the city.
Climate Change due to
Prevailing Winds
Prevailing winds are generated by the
convergence/divergence of air near pressure
belts and due to the Coriolis Effect.
Storm track moving westward pick up moisture over
the Great Lakes. Cities in northwestern New York
experience “lake effect” snows and rains due to this
movement (more humid climate).
Southern California is much “more of a
marine climate” (more moderate
climate)due to the southwesterly winds
blowing off the Pacific Ocean.
Climate Change due to Ocean
Currents
Surface ocean
temperatures are… ADD
HERE
Warm ocean currents tend
to move away from the
equator. Warm ocean
currents create warm,
humid conditions for
coastal locations.
Cool ocean currents tend
to move towards the
equator. Cool ocean
currents create cool, drier
conditions for coastal
locations.
RT = Pg. 4
Some parts of
Europe (Ireland,
Iceland, England)
may be more
humid and a bit
warmer during
certain times of
the year due to
their presence
near warm ocean
currents.
The location and
pathway of ocean
currents will
change as… ADD
HERE
As air rises it expands and cools.
Higher elevations are less likely to be
affected by greenhouse gases and the
infrared radiation being absorbed by
them.
Air
Temperature
Climate Change due to
Elevation
As air rises its temperature drops as
does its capacity to hold water vapor.
Dewpoint temperature is reached,
clouds form and precipitation follows.
Chance of
Precipitation
Elevation
Elevation
Generally speaking…..
Climate Change due to
Mountains
“The Orographic Effect”
LEEWARD
WINDWARD
As prevailing winds move up the
mountain:
1.
As prevailing winds move down the
mountain:
1.
Climate Change due to
Vegetation
The vegetation of a region is determined by its
climate.
When the vegetation of a region is
removed, the climate will change.
The destruction of this forest will cause
the climate to change:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Arid
ADD HERE…
…
…
…
Deforestation
Humid
Urbanization
Climate Change due to
Cloud Cover
Ecuadorian Beach, South America
~ 0˚ latitude (equator)
Areas that are prone to cloudy
skies often experience climatic
change:
1. ADD HERE…
2. …
3. …
The equator is… ADD HERE
“How come the equator is NOT the warmest spot
on Earth’s surface? Where is the warmest place?”
The warmest place on Earth
would by… ADD HERE