chapter 6 weather. an area’s short term (usually a day) atmospheric condition differs from climate...
DESCRIPTION
Troposphere is where we live Where weather happens Stratosphere contains the ozone layer Block out harmful UV light from sunTRANSCRIPT
Chapter 6
Weather
Weather• An area’s short term (usually a day) atmospheric
condition• Differs from climate which is weather over a long
period of timeClimate• Determined by average temperature and
precipitation over a period of time (usually a year)• Climate then determines an areas biome
Atmosphere Layers• Troposphere is
where we live•Where weather happens
• Stratosphere contains the ozone layer•Block out harmful UV light from sun
Air CirculationCaused by 4 factors1. Uneven heating of the Earth’s
surface2. Evaporating water creating
convection cells3. Rotation of the Earth- spins faster at
the equator than at the poles causing prevailing winds
4. Seasons- caused by the tilt of the Earth
Unequal Heating of the Earth
Physical properties of atmosphere
• Warm air, less dense (rises)
• Cool air, more dense (sinks)
• Moist air, less dense (rises)
• Dry air, more dense (sinks)
Fig. 6.5
Convection Currents
Dry woodlands and shrublands (chaparral)
Temperate grassland
Temperate deciduous forest
Boreal forest (taiga), evergreen coniferousforest (e.g., montane coniferous forest)
Arctic tundra (polar grasslands)
Tropical savanna,thorn forest
Tropical scrub forest
Tropical deciduous forest
Tropical rain forest,tropical evergreen forest
Desert
Ice
Mountains(complex zonation)
Semidesert,arid grassland
Tropic ofCapricorn
Equator
Tropic ofCancer
Rotation of the Earth• Earth spins faster at the equator than at the poles• Causes prevailing winds
Earth’s Tilt Causes Seasons
Ocean Circulation
Ocean Currents and Climate• Ocean currents help to mix
nutrients and dissolved oxygen, as well as influence the climate of coastal regions
• Winds blowing westward push surface waters away from the coast and cold, nutrient rich water takes its place (upwelling)
• Upwelling leads to high productivity
El Nino
Every 3 to 7 years, the interaction of the Earth's atmosphere and ocean cause surface currents in the tropical Pacific Ocean to reverse direction.
Normal Conditions
El Nino Conditions
La Nina Conditions