CLIMATE AND WEATHER

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

By Moira Whitehose PhD

CLIMATECLIMATEClimate is the general weather of an area over a long period of time, many years for example.

CLIMATECLIMATEClimate is the general weather of an area over a long period of time, many years for example.

Although they have had freezing weather on occasion, the climate of Florida is very mild in the winter.

CLIMATECLIMATEClimate is the general weather of an area over a long period of time, many years for example.

WEATHERWEATHERWeather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place for a short period of time, like a few days.

WEATHERWEATHERWeather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place for a short period of time, like a few days.

The severe ice storm that occurred in the Texas Hill Country recently was very unusual weather for that area.

CLIMATE ZONESCLIMATE ZONESScientists recognize three different kinds of climate zones on planet Earth.

North Pole

North Pole

South Pole

Polar

Polar

Temperate

Temperate

Tropical

POLAR CLIMATESPOLAR CLIMATESIn bands around the north and south poles the climate, called polar climate, is cold and dry. The spring, summer and fall seasons are very short.

Tropical

North Pole

South Pole

Temperate

Temperate

POLAR CLIMATESPOLAR CLIMATESFrom the map, notice that most of the polar climate occurs in the northern hemisphere

TEMPERATE CLIMATESTEMPERATE CLIMATESTemperate climates have temperatures that are moderate, not too hot, not too cold, and change with the seasons. The seasons change depending on the tilt of the Earth. Precipitation varies from place to place.

Polar

Polar

Polar

Tropical

North Pole

South Pole

TEMPERATE CLIMATESTEMPERATE CLIMATESTemperate climates are good for growing food in the summer. Almost all of the Earth’s wheat, rye, oats, barley and potatoes are grown in Temperate Climate Zones.

Tropical climatesTropical climatesTropical climates are warm often times hot. They can be soggy wet to desert dry or anywhere in between. They are found in a wide band around the center of the Earth, near the equator.

Tropical climatesTropical climatesSeasons hardly occur in areas of Tropical climates. For all 12 months of the year temperature average is above 65º. Wonder why?

Tropical Climates , Can be pretty hot )

SEASONSSEASONSSeasons are not noticeable in the Tropic Climates, but as you can tell from your own experience, there are definitely seasons in our part (Texas) of the Temperate region. Here is why.As you know from our previous study, the Sun is the source of all energy here on Earth. The way that energy is spread out over the planet causes some areas to get more of the Sun’s energy than other areas. That difference in the amount of heat from the Sun that reaches a temperate region determines that region’s seasons. But why would some areas get more of the sun’s energy (sunlight) than another?

SEASONSSEASONS

Tilted Not Tilted

Or we could think about a flashlight pointed straight down and one pointed out in front. Notice that the energy of the light is spread over a much larger area. It would be weaker than the one pointed straight at the ground.

SEASONSSEASONS

Sun

The sun comes back around to each spot in its orbit once a year, like your birthday comes around once every year.

SEASONSSEASONS

Sun

SEASONSSEASONS

What causes the seasons on earth?

What causes day and night?

Can you name the three climate zones?

Let’s see if you have it.

MountainsMountains

Why do tall mountains have snow their peaks even in the middle of the summer?

Why do pilots of open cockpit air planes need to wear very warm clothing?

Answer: Because it is cold up there, but why?

http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net/mountain_clipart.html

The reason it is cold on mountain tops, is that the sun shines on the earth and warms it. The sun gets a little help from the red hot magma that is just a few miles below the surface, but mainly it’s the sun.

You may know from Star Trek that the temperature in space is very cold. The further we travel from the earth’s floor, the colder it gets (at least for the first few miles).

For every 1000 feet we climb above the earth floor, the temperature drops about 3º F.