Climate and Weather
Text pages 31 to 39
So far in this chapter, we’ve learned
about:
• The earth and its various layers.
• Landforms and how they are created
The other major factor of Canada’s
geography that affects all Canadians and
their sense of identity is our climate.
Important Terms
Meteorology – the science of weather
Climate – patterns of weather conditions over a
long period of time.
Ex. In Atlantic Canada, winters are long and
snowy.
Weather – the weather conditions outside right
now.
Ex. It is windy and cold today.
What factors make weather?
• With a partner brainstorm for a list of
factors that make weather:
Global Factors that
Influence Climate and
Weather
Latitude
•
•
Latitude = horizontal
lines around the
globe. Ex. Equator
Areas closer to the
equator get more
direct sunlight than
places farther away,
hotter.
Air Masses and Winds
•
Air masses over bodies
of water or areas of
land take on their
characteristics.
•
Examples:
–
–
–
–
Maritime Tropical: warm
water makes the air
warm and moist
Maritime Polar: cold
water makes air cold and
moist
Continental Arctic: cold
land makes the air cold
and dry
Continental Tropical:
desert makes the air hot
and dry
Jet Stream
• A constant
prevailing wind that
blows from west to
east.
• This stream of
wind blows at an
altitude of 8,000 to
15,000 feet above
the earth.
Ocean Currents
• Ocean currents move warm and cool water around the
world.
• Air temperature passing over the ocean changes with
water temperature.
• Both form convention currents.
Convection Currents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu_Ga0JYFNg
Storms
• Winter storms occur
when Maritime
Tropical air masses
clash with Continental
Arctic air masses.
Clouds and Precipitation
Regional Factors that Influence
Climate and Weather:
Altitude
•
•
The height of
something
above sea level.
Air temperature
drops as altitude
increases.
Bodies of Water
•
•
Water heats up more slowly than land but
retains its heat for a longer period of time.
In the winter, the air is warmed by open water
(water that is not frozen). In the summer, cool
air from the water cools the land.
•
Example: Saint John
Mountain Barriers
•
•
•
•
Mountains are barriers
that cause warm air to
rise then cool down.
As this air cools down,
it falls as rain or snow.
The windward sides of
a mountain tend to be
wetter than the leeward
sides (the sides
sheltered from the
wind).
Rain Shadow – the
area on the leeward
side of a mountain that
receives little
precipitation.
Climate Regions
Text page 37
• What is a climate region?
– An area that experiences similar weather
conditions within its boundaries throughout
the year.
• Climate is divided into 5 regions based on
annual temperatures and precipitation
through out the year, and the vegetation
that grows there.
Climate Regions of Canada
A – Tropical climates
• Canada does not have any tropical climates
B – Dry climates
• Can be warm or cool
C – Warm, moist climates
• Warm, humid summers and mild winters
D – Cool, moist climates
• Makes up 70% of Canada
E – Polar climates
• Very cold and dry, it makes up 25% of Canada
Map work
• Color in the Climate regions of Canada
• Make sure to include a legend for your
colors.
• Refer to page 37 in text.
Why Seasons?
Extreme weather!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjy7FCK0Aoo
In your notebook answer the
following:
1.
What is the difference between
climate and weather?
2.
Describe a Maritime Tropical air mass.
3.
Describe a Continental Arctic air mass.
4.
What is a climate region?
5.
How do you think climate influences where Canadians
choose to live?