Ch. 8 Lesson 5What is climate?

weather•made up of all the conditions in one place @ single moment

climate • average of weather conditions over long

time (usually 30 yrs.)• does not change much daily• incl:

1. avg. amt. precipitation

2. avg. temp

3. how much temp. changes during yr.

landforms affect climate

• areas on opposite sides of mountain range can have different climates

rain shadow• side of the mountain that

does not have clouds or rain

oceans affect climate• slow rise & fall of air temp.

• currents can make climate warmer or cooler

Gulf Stream

•ex. Gulf Stream & North Atlantic Drift

(warms wind)

factors that can cause

climatechange

volcanic eruptions

asteroid/meteoroidimpacts

carbon dioxide,

methane,water vapor

Scientists debate on why climates have changed.

Review

•How are weather and climate different?

Review

•What geographical features might affect

our local climate?

Review

•How are fossils used to study past

climates?

Review

•What can cause a sudden climate

change?

Review

•Would a large volcanic eruption cool or warm the climate?

Review

•How do the Gulf Stream and North

Atlantic Drift currents affect weather in

Europe?

Review

•What human activity might have contributed

to an increase in average temperature in North America during

the 20th century? How?