Chapter 3Chapter 3

Climate & VegetationClimate & Vegetation

SeasonsSeasons

Earth is titled at a 23.5 degree angle in relation Earth is titled at a 23.5 degree angle in relation to the sun. to the sun.

Earth’s tilt and revolution cause the sun to stay Earth’s tilt and revolution cause the sun to stay on certain parts of the earth for more hours at on certain parts of the earth for more hours at certain times of the year.certain times of the year.

Tropic of Cancer-Tropic of Cancer- Line of latitude that marks Line of latitude that marks the farthest point north that the sun’s rays the farthest point north that the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon.shine directly overhead at noon.

Tropic of Capricorn-Tropic of Capricorn- Line of latitude that Line of latitude that marks the farthest point south that the sun’s marks the farthest point south that the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon.rays shine directly overhead at noon.

Solstice- Solstice- either of two times of year when the either of two times of year when the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at the furthest points north or south, marking the the furthest points north or south, marking the beginning of summer and winter. (Summer- beginning of summer and winter. (Summer- June 21June 21stst or 22 or 22ndnd & Winter- December 22 & Winter- December 22ndnd or or 2323rdrd))

EquinoxEquinox- each of the two days in a year on - each of the two days in a year on which day and night are equal in length, which day and night are equal in length, marking the beginning of spring and autumn. marking the beginning of spring and autumn. (Spring- March 21(Spring- March 21stst & Autumn- September & Autumn- September 2323rdrd))

Weather & ClimateWeather & Climate

WeatherWeather is the condition of the atmosphere at is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time.a particular location and time.

ClimateClimate is the term for weather conditions at a is the term for weather conditions at a particular location over a long period of time.particular location over a long period of time.

PrecipitationPrecipitation

Depends on the amount of water vapor in the Depends on the amount of water vapor in the air and the movement of that air.air and the movement of that air.

Types- Rain, sleet, snow & hail.Types- Rain, sleet, snow & hail.

Weather ExtremesWeather Extremes

Hurricanes- also known as typhoons in Asia, Hurricanes- also known as typhoons in Asia, are storms that form over warm, tropical ocean are storms that form over warm, tropical ocean waters.waters.

Other names throughout the world- tropical Other names throughout the world- tropical cyclones, willy-willies (Australia) baguios cyclones, willy-willies (Australia) baguios (Philippines), and chubascos (Mexico). (Philippines), and chubascos (Mexico).

Category/Wind SpeedCategory/Wind Speed1 74-95 mph1 74-95 mph2 96-110 mph2 96-110 mph3 111-130 mph3 111-130 mph4 131-155 mph4 131-155 mph5 156+ mph5 156+ mph

TornadoesTornadoes

Tornado- powerful funnel-shaped column of Tornado- powerful funnel-shaped column of spiraling air. (Twisters)spiraling air. (Twisters)

Unlike hurricanes, tornadoes can form quickly.Unlike hurricanes, tornadoes can form quickly.

Tornado ScaleTornado Scale

CategoryCategory Wind Speeds(MPH)Wind Speeds(MPH) DamageDamage

F-0F-0 40-72 40-72 Chimney damage, Chimney damage, tree branches brokentree branches broken

F-1F-1 73-11273-112 Mobile homes Mobile homes overturnedoverturned

F-2F-2 113-157113-157 Mobile home Mobile home demolisheddemolished

F-3F-3 158-206158-206 Cars thrownCars thrown

F-4F-4 207-260207-260 Well-constructed Well-constructed walls leveledwalls leveled

F-5F-5 261-318261-318 Homes lifted off Homes lifted off of foundations/ of foundations/ cars thrown 100 cars thrown 100 yardsyards

BlizzardBlizzard

Heavy snowstorm with winds of more than 35 miles per hour Heavy snowstorm with winds of more than 35 miles per hour making it very difficult to see. making it very difficult to see.

1921 Silver Lake, Colorado- 76 inches of snow fell in 24 1921 Silver Lake, Colorado- 76 inches of snow fell in 24 hours.hours.

1959 Mt. Shasta, California- 6 day snow storm dumped nearly 1959 Mt. Shasta, California- 6 day snow storm dumped nearly 16 feet of snow.16 feet of snow.

DroughtDrought

Drought- Long period of time without any rain Drought- Long period of time without any rain or very little precipitation.or very little precipitation.

Droughts can cause extreme crop failure and Droughts can cause extreme crop failure and reduced levels in water storage facilities.reduced levels in water storage facilities.

FloodsFloods

Flood- a time when water spreads over land Flood- a time when water spreads over land not normally covered with water.not normally covered with water.

1993- A flood in Mississippi and Missouri 1993- A flood in Mississippi and Missouri caused $15 million dollars in damage and caused $15 million dollars in damage and claimed the lives of 50 people. Over 150 rivers claimed the lives of 50 people. Over 150 rivers and tributaries were involved. and tributaries were involved.

Convection is the transfer of heat in Convection is the transfer of heat in the atmosphere by upward motion of the atmosphere by upward motion of the air.the air.

El Nino- a weather pattern created by El Nino- a weather pattern created by the warming of the waters off the the warming of the waters off the west coast of South America, which west coast of South America, which pushes warm water and heavy rains pushes warm water and heavy rains toward the Americas and produces toward the Americas and produces drought conditions in Australia and drought conditions in Australia and Asia.Asia.

La Nina is the complete opposite.La Nina is the complete opposite.

EcosystemEcosystem

An independent community of plants An independent community of plants and and

animals.animals.

The ecosystem of a region is referred The ecosystem of a region is referred to asto as

a biome.a biome. (Examples- forest, grassland, (Examples- forest, grassland,

desert & tundra).desert & tundra).

Chapter 3 Section 3Chapter 3 Section 3

Climate RegionsClimate Regions

Tropical Wet

Tropical Wet & Dry

DesertDesert

Semiarid

Mediterranean

Humid Subtropical

Marine West Coast

Humid Continental

Subartic

Tundra

Ice Cap

Highlands