METEOROLOGY
2015 EVENT OVERVIEW
Variations in Climate
Let’s begin by describing the ‘climates’ you will likely find in
each of the rounded circles shown on the next slide.
Write your description in the space on the worksheet
provided. Feel free to discuss with a buddy or friend.
Your description should take into account latitude/longitude,
vegetation/physical relief, proximity to water, etc.
Describe seasonal climates such as ‘cold winters, warm
summers with lots of precipitation year-round,’ ‘warm
summers with little rain, cool wet winters,’ etc.
Be sure to ’name’ each climate
CLIMATE VARIATIONS
Mountain Climate
Wide variations in temperature and
precipitation due to elevation
Desert Climate
Less than 10” of rainfall annually.
High variances in daily high/low
temperatures common
Tropical Climate
Temperatures over 75° year round
with high rainfall amounts
Marine West Coast Climate
Temperature range usually 45-75°
year round with abundant
precipitation
Humid Continental Climate
Hot summers and cold winters with
high humidity and precipitation
year-round
CLIMATE CONCEPTS
The difference between weather and climate
‘Weather’ refers to the daily variations in
the meteorological activities of a region.
‘Climate’ refers to established patterns of
meteorological activities in a region.
CLIMATE
CONCEPTS
Climate is influenced
by several factors
including:
Locational latitude
Variations in solar
activity and Earth orbital
patterns
Elevation and relative
location to mountains
Proximity to large bodies
of water
Anthropogenic activities
CLIMATE CONCEPTS
In studying the climate features of a region, you
want students to be able to:
Use prior background knowledge and
familiar associations to develop a
preliminary description of its climate
Identify the key factors which may be
influencing its climate patterns and
use scientific concepts and principles
to justify their descriptions
METEOROLOGY
2015 EVENT OVERVIEW
Presented by:
Mark A. VanHecke
NSO Earth-Space Science Event Co-Chair
East China, MI
mvanhecke@comcast.net
Disclaimer
This presentation was prepared in July 2014
using draft rules.
There may be changes to event rules prior to
publication.
Be sure to refer to the current year’s Official
Science Olympiad Rule Book for the final draft
of the event rules.
2015 Event Overview
This year’s Meteorology event focus will be
Climate
– The difference between weather and climate
– Solar radiation and Earth’s energy balance
– Climate zones
2015 Event Overview
– Oceanic and atmospheric circulation
– Natural climactic variations
– Anthropogenic effects on climate
Variations in Climate
Studying local variations in climate within your
own state is a great way to introduce this
concept.
VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE
Let’s look at local climate variations in four Michigan cities located in
the ‘Lower’ Peninsula
East China
Lansing
Grand Haven
Gaylord
VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE
Working in groups of 2-4, use the tables shown on your Activity
Sheet to briefly describe the local climates of each of these four
Michigan cities.
VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE
EAST CHINA, MI
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE
X
Locational Latitude
Solar Activity
Elevation
X
Proximity to large bodies of
water
X
Anthropogenic Activities
VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE
LANSING, MI
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE
X
Locational Latitude
Solar Activity
Elevation
X
Proximity to large bodies of
water
X
Anthropogenic Activities
VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE
GRAND HAVEN, MI
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE
X
Locational Latitude
Solar Activity
Elevation
X
Proximity to large bodies of
water
Anthropogenic Activities
VARIATIONS IN LOCAL CLIMATE
GAYLORD, MI
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE
X
Locational Latitude
Solar Activity
X
Elevation
X
Proximity to large bodies of
water
Anthropogenic Activities
FIND THE BEST.COM
FIND THE BEST.COM
FIND THE BEST.COM
FIND THE BEST.COM
Conclusion
Use familiar associations to develop background
knowledge and key event topics
Begin with a study of factors affecting climate in
their own state and communities
Develop key event topics individually, then bring
concepts together
Avoid political discussions of climate and climate
change. You want to develop scientific literacy in your
students