ClimateClimate

Is there a difference with weather ?Is there a difference with weather ?

Climate vs. WeatherClimate vs. Weather

Climate is long term, regional conditionsClimate is long term, regional conditions Weather is short term, local conditions Weather is short term, local conditions

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ObjectivesObjectives

What is Climate and its major factors?What is Climate and its major factors? Describe and be able to locate the six major Describe and be able to locate the six major

climate zones.climate zones. Identify the causes of climateIdentify the causes of climate Differentiate between long and short term Differentiate between long and short term

climate changes.climate changes. Compare and contrast the difference between the Compare and contrast the difference between the

“Greenhouse Effect” and “Global Warming.”“Greenhouse Effect” and “Global Warming.”

What is Climate?What is Climate?

Climate is the name for the general Climate is the name for the general conditions of a region or area over a conditions of a region or area over a long period of time. long period of time.

Two Basic Factors of ClimateTwo Basic Factors of Climate

The climate of a region is determined The climate of a region is determined by two basic factors: by two basic factors: temperaturetemperature precipitation.precipitation.

Part 1Part 1

TemperatureTemperature

Factors that Affect TemperatureFactors that Affect Temperature

Latitude, elevation and the presence Latitude, elevation and the presence of ocean currents and wind currents of ocean currents and wind currents are are four natural factors four natural factors that affect the that affect the temperature at a particular location.temperature at a particular location.

LatitudeLatitude

Latitude is the measure of the distance north Latitude is the measure of the distance north and south of the equator. Latitude is measured and south of the equator. Latitude is measured in degrees. Areas close to the equator, or 0 in degrees. Areas close to the equator, or 0 degrees latitude, receive the direct rays of the degrees latitude, receive the direct rays of the sun. These direct rays provide the most sun. These direct rays provide the most radiant energy. Areas near the equator have a radiant energy. Areas near the equator have a warm climate. Polar regions have a cold warm climate. Polar regions have a cold climate.climate.

Seasons Due to Earth’s Tilt of AxisSeasons Due to Earth’s Tilt of Axis

Tilt, Rotation and RevolutionTilt, Rotation and Revolutionof the of the EarthEarth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95TtXYjOEv4&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

9 Minutes9 Minutes

Climate ZonesClimate Zones

ElevationElevation

Elevation, or altitude, is the distance above sea Elevation, or altitude, is the distance above sea level. As elevation increases, the air becomes level. As elevation increases, the air becomes less dense. This means there are fewer gas less dense. This means there are fewer gas molecules in the air and they are spread far molecules in the air and they are spread far apart. Less- dense air cannot hold as much apart. Less- dense air cannot hold as much heat as denser air. So as elevation increases, heat as denser air. So as elevation increases, temperature decreases.temperature decreases.

The high elevation and proximity to the equator The high elevation and proximity to the equator allows visitors to experience every climate type. allows visitors to experience every climate type.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa also features a year round Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa also features a year round snow-topped peaksnow-topped peak. .

LocationLocation

The surface temperature of water affects the The surface temperature of water affects the temperature of the air above it. Warm water temperature of the air above it. Warm water warms the air and cold water tends to cool it. warms the air and cold water tends to cool it. Land areas near warm water currents have Land areas near warm water currents have warm temperatures. warm temperatures. The Gulf Stream is an The Gulf Stream is an ocean current that carries warm water along ocean current that carries warm water along the eastern coast of the United Statesthe eastern coast of the United States. . The The California Current travels toward the equator California Current travels toward the equator carrying cold water along the west coast of the carrying cold water along the west coast of the United States.United States.

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

Seasonal AffluanceSeasonal Affluance

Autumn/Fall - Autumnal Equinox Sept 20≐Autumn/Fall - Autumnal Equinox Sept 20≐ thth..

Winter – Winter Solstice ≈ Dec. 20Winter – Winter Solstice ≈ Dec. 20 thth..

Spring – Spring Equinox March 20≅Spring – Spring Equinox March 20≅ thth..

Summer - Summer Solstice Summer - Summer Solstice June 20 June 20thth..

Let’s ThinkLet’s Think Puzzler 1.Puzzler 1.

Indigo had an astronomy project to do. She was very Indigo had an astronomy project to do. She was very excited because her father and she were going to excited because her father and she were going to camp out all night to watch the stars. They would camp out all night to watch the stars. They would look for everything on her project checklist. Indigo look for everything on her project checklist. Indigo knew that this was the best night to do it because it knew that this was the best night to do it because it would give them them most star watching time. Her would give them them most star watching time. Her project was due thirteen days later. project was due thirteen days later.

When was Indigo's project due?When was Indigo's project due?

Puzzler 2. Puzzler 2.

Alexander wants to hold the best party for all of Alexander wants to hold the best party for all of his friends. He wants the party to last all day his friends. He wants the party to last all day and all night, but his mom said they can only and all night, but his mom said they can only play their music until it gets dark. play their music until it gets dark.

What date should he hold the party?What date should he hold the party?

Puzzler 3Puzzler 3

The McBrides are farmers. At 5:50 am they opened their The McBrides are farmers. At 5:50 am they opened their door, one early October morning, to breathe in the fresh door, one early October morning, to breathe in the fresh scent of autumn. Mrs. McBride stepped out on to the scent of autumn. Mrs. McBride stepped out on to the porch stairs and WOMP! she landed flat on her bottom.porch stairs and WOMP! she landed flat on her bottom.

"Well, that'll be the end of the season for the crops," her "Well, that'll be the end of the season for the crops," her husband said, as he helped her stand up and looked husband said, as he helped her stand up and looked down at the porch stairs. down at the porch stairs.

How did Mr. McBride know that the crop season was How did Mr. McBride know that the crop season was coming to an end by what happened that morning?coming to an end by what happened that morning?

Part 2 Part 2 PrecipitationPrecipitation

Factors that Affect PrecipitationFactors that Affect Precipitation

The two factors that affect the amount of The two factors that affect the amount of precipitation at a particular location are precipitation at a particular location are prevailing winds and mountain ranges.prevailing winds and mountain ranges.

Prevailing WindsPrevailing Winds

A wind that blows more often from one A wind that blows more often from one direction that from any other direction is called direction that from any other direction is called a prevailing wind. Prevailing winds have a a prevailing wind. Prevailing winds have a great influence on the climate of regions in great influence on the climate of regions in their path. Different prevailing winds carry their path. Different prevailing winds carry different amounts of moisture. The amount of different amounts of moisture. The amount of moisture carried by a prevailing wind affects moisture carried by a prevailing wind affects the amount of precipitation a region receives. the amount of precipitation a region receives. Winds formed by rising warm air tend to bring Winds formed by rising warm air tend to bring precipitation.precipitation.

Direction of Prevailing WindsDirection of Prevailing Winds

The direction from which a prevailing wind The direction from which a prevailing wind blows also affects the amount of moisture it blows also affects the amount of moisture it carries. carries.

Some prevailing winds blow from the water to Some prevailing winds blow from the water to the land (sea breeze and moist). the land (sea breeze and moist).

some blow from the land to the sea (land some blow from the land to the sea (land breeze an dry)breeze an dry)

DesertDesert A region that receives less than A region that receives less than 10 inches = 25 10 inches = 25

centimeterscentimeters of rainfall a year is called a desert. of rainfall a year is called a desert. The combined effect of a prevailing wind’s The combined effect of a prevailing wind’s moisture content and its direction can make it moisture content and its direction can make it possible for a desert to exist near a large body possible for a desert to exist near a large body of water. The Sahara Desert is bordered on the of water. The Sahara Desert is bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The prevailing west by the Atlantic Ocean. The prevailing winds that blow across the Sahara originate far winds that blow across the Sahara originate far inland, carry little moisture and are caused by inland, carry little moisture and are caused by sinking cold air.sinking cold air.

Rain Shadow

Chinook winds

Mountain RangesMountain Ranges

The amount of precipitation at a particular The amount of precipitation at a particular location is also affected by mountain ranges. location is also affected by mountain ranges. A mountain range acts as a barrier to A mountain range acts as a barrier to prevailing winds. The windward side of a prevailing winds. The windward side of a mountain has a wet climate. On the leeward mountain has a wet climate. On the leeward side, relatively dry air moves down the side of side, relatively dry air moves down the side of the mountain and results in very little the mountain and results in very little precipitation. A good example is the Great precipitation. A good example is the Great Basin on the leeward side of the Sierra Nevada Basin on the leeward side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.Mountain Range.

Climate ZonesClimate Zones

The Earth’s climate can be divided into The Earth’s climate can be divided into general climate zones according to average general climate zones according to average temperatures. Scientist classify localized temperatures. Scientist classify localized climates as microclimates. climates as microclimates.

The three major climate zones on the Earth are The three major climate zones on the Earth are the polar, temperate, and tropical zones. With the polar, temperate, and tropical zones. With three additional minor zones; Sub-Polar, Sub-three additional minor zones; Sub-Polar, Sub-Tropical and HighlandsTropical and Highlands

Five Factors VideoFive Factors Video

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5.5 Minutes5.5 Minutes

Let’s ThinkLet’s Think

Polar ZonesPolar Zones

In each hemisphere, the polar zone extends In each hemisphere, the polar zone extends from the pole to about 60 degrees latitude. In from the pole to about 60 degrees latitude. In polar zones, the average yearly temperature is polar zones, the average yearly temperature is below freezing. There are some areas in the below freezing. There are some areas in the polar zones, such as the northern coasts of polar zones, such as the northern coasts of Canada and Alaska and the southern tip of Canada and Alaska and the southern tip of South America, where the snow melts during South America, where the snow melts during the warmest part of the year.the warmest part of the year.

Temperate ZonesTemperate Zones

In each hemisphere, the temperate zone is In each hemisphere, the temperate zone is found between 60 degrees and 30 degrees found between 60 degrees and 30 degrees latitude. IN the areas of the temperate zones latitude. IN the areas of the temperate zones farther from the equator, snow is common in farther from the equator, snow is common in the winter. In the areas of the temperate zones the winter. In the areas of the temperate zones closer to the equator, rain normally falls all closer to the equator, rain normally falls all year round. The average amount of year round. The average amount of precipitation is about the same throughout. precipitation is about the same throughout. The average temperatures range from 5 The average temperatures range from 5 degrees C to 20 degrees C. Tdegrees C to 20 degrees C. T

Tropical ZonesTropical Zones

The tropical zones, which extend from 30 The tropical zones, which extend from 30 degrees north and south latitude to the equator, degrees north and south latitude to the equator, have high temperatures and high humidity. have high temperatures and high humidity. Tropical zones are also known as low-latitude Tropical zones are also known as low-latitude climates. The average temperature during the climates. The average temperature during the coldest month of the year does not fall below coldest month of the year does not fall below 18 degrees C. Many deserts are located on the 18 degrees C. Many deserts are located on the western coasts of the continents. This is western coasts of the continents. This is because the prevailing winds, the trades, blow because the prevailing winds, the trades, blow from east to west. from east to west.

Sub-Tropical and Sub-PolarSub-Tropical and Sub-Polar

HighlandsHighlands

Marine and Continental ClimatesMarine and Continental Climates

Within each of the three major climate zones, Within each of the three major climate zones, there are marine and continental climates. there are marine and continental climates. Areas near an ocean or other large body of Areas near an ocean or other large body of water have a marine climate. Areas located water have a marine climate. Areas located within a large landmass have a continental within a large landmass have a continental climate. Areas with a marine climate receive climate. Areas with a marine climate receive more precipitation and have a more moderate more precipitation and have a more moderate climate. A continental climate has less climate. A continental climate has less precipitation and a greater range in climate.precipitation and a greater range in climate.

Changes in ClimateChanges in Climate

The three natural factors responsible for The three natural factors responsible for climate changes are the slow drifting of the climate changes are the slow drifting of the continents, changes in the sun’s energy output continents, changes in the sun’s energy output and variations in the position of the Earth and variations in the position of the Earth relative to the sun. These natural factors are relative to the sun. These natural factors are not related to human activity. The results of not related to human activity. The results of the human activity of the burning of fossil the human activity of the burning of fossil fuels may also lead to changes in climate.fuels may also lead to changes in climate.

Ice AgesIce Ages

Periods when much of the Earth’s surface has Periods when much of the Earth’s surface has been covered with enormous sheets of ice are been covered with enormous sheets of ice are called ice ages or major glaciations. Scientists called ice ages or major glaciations. Scientists have found evidence of four major ice ages have found evidence of four major ice ages during the last 2 million years each lasting during the last 2 million years each lasting about 100,000 years. The average temperature about 100,000 years. The average temperature was 10 to 15 degrees C. The causes are not was 10 to 15 degrees C. The causes are not known but they are probably associated with known but they are probably associated with variations in the tilt of the Earth’s axis and the variations in the tilt of the Earth’s axis and the shape of the Earth’s orbit around the sun.shape of the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

InterglacialsInterglacials

Interglacials are the time periods between Interglacials are the time periods between major glaciations or “Ice Ages”. Interglacials major glaciations or “Ice Ages”. Interglacials are warm periods. During an interglacial, the are warm periods. During an interglacial, the average temperature was about 4 to 6 degrees average temperature was about 4 to 6 degrees higher than the average temperature during a higher than the average temperature during a major glaciation. A cold period called the major glaciation. A cold period called the Little Ice Age lasted from 1500 to 1900. Little Ice Age lasted from 1500 to 1900.

Drifting ContinentsDrifting Continents

About 230 million years ago, all the Earth’s About 230 million years ago, all the Earth’s landmasses were joined in one super continent, landmasses were joined in one super continent, Pangaea. The slow drifting apart of the Pangaea. The slow drifting apart of the continents caused dramatic changes. As the continents caused dramatic changes. As the continents moved toward their present-day continents moved toward their present-day locations, the sea level dropped, volcanoes locations, the sea level dropped, volcanoes erupted, and much of the Earth’s surface was erupted, and much of the Earth’s surface was pushed upward. The combined effect was a pushed upward. The combined effect was a drop in temperature and precipitation all over drop in temperature and precipitation all over the Earth. These changes were gradual.the Earth. These changes were gradual.

Extinction of the DinosaursExtinction of the Dinosaurs

The climate change caused by the drifting of The climate change caused by the drifting of the continents may have resulted in the the continents may have resulted in the extinction of the dinosaur. Many types of extinction of the dinosaur. Many types of plants also became extinct. Dinosaurs that plants also became extinct. Dinosaurs that depended on these plants died. Meat-eating depended on these plants died. Meat-eating dinosaurs that depended on plant-eating dinosaurs that depended on plant-eating dinosaurs died. Other scientists believe that dinosaurs died. Other scientists believe that dinosaurs became extinct as the result of a dinosaurs became extinct as the result of a giant asteroid striking the Earth 65 million giant asteroid striking the Earth 65 million years ago.years ago.

Variations in Radiant EnergyVariations in Radiant Energy

Many scientists have tried to relate changes in Many scientists have tried to relate changes in the Earth’s climate to changes in the sun’s the Earth’s climate to changes in the sun’s energy output. During periods of high energy energy output. During periods of high energy output, the Earth’s temperature would rise. output, the Earth’s temperature would rise. The temperature would drop during periods of The temperature would drop during periods of low energy output. No evidence has been low energy output. No evidence has been found to support this theory.found to support this theory.

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

IN the mid-nineteenth century industrialization IN the mid-nineteenth century industrialization led to the increased burning of fossil fuels, led to the increased burning of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas. Then these including coal, oil and natural gas. Then these fuels are burned they release carbon dioxide fuels are burned they release carbon dioxide that traps heat. As a result, the atmosphere that traps heat. As a result, the atmosphere becomes warmer. Meteorologists found that becomes warmer. Meteorologists found that temperatures in the 1990’s were the highest in temperatures in the 1990’s were the highest in more than 100 years. more than 100 years.

Natural Greenhouse EffectNatural Greenhouse Effect

Human EnhancedHuman Enhanced

Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effectvs.vs.

???????Global Warming??????????????Global Warming???????The greenhouse effect is the naturally The greenhouse effect is the naturally

occurring process of greenhouse gases occurring process of greenhouse gases ((CO2, water vapor, methaneCO2, water vapor, methane...) keeping ...) keeping heat in our atmosphere. Without this heat in our atmosphere. Without this effect, the Earth would be frozen and effect, the Earth would be frozen and life here would most likely not exist.life here would most likely not exist.

Enhanced by HumansEnhanced by Humans

However, global warming is caused However, global warming is caused by an by an enhancedenhanced greenhouse effect. greenhouse effect. More and more greenhouse gases are More and more greenhouse gases are being put into the atmosphere (most being put into the atmosphere (most because of humans) and this is because of humans) and this is keeping more heat in the atmosphere.keeping more heat in the atmosphere.

Animated GreenhouseAnimated Greenhouse

http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/greenhouse/

5 Min5 Min

Short Term Changes in ClimateShort Term Changes in Climate

Some short-term changes may be the result Some short-term changes may be the result of changes in ocean currents and of changes in ocean currents and

Global winds. Global winds. Volcanic EruptionsVolcanic Eruptions Any major change in an ocean current can Any major change in an ocean current can

cause a change in climate. El Nino is an cause a change in climate. El Nino is an example. example.

El NinoEl Nino

A cold current that flows from west to east A cold current that flows from west to east across the southern part of the Pacific Ocean across the southern part of the Pacific Ocean turns toward the equator along the coast of turns toward the equator along the coast of South America and flows north along the coast South America and flows north along the coast of Chile and Peru. It is known as the Peru of Chile and Peru. It is known as the Peru Current. Occasionally the Peru Current is Current. Occasionally the Peru Current is covered by a thin sheet of warm water. Every covered by a thin sheet of warm water. Every 2 to 10 years, strong winds spread the warm 2 to 10 years, strong winds spread the warm water over a large area resulting in droughts in water over a large area resulting in droughts in some areas and flooding in others.some areas and flooding in others.

Diverting Costly Climate Diverting Costly Climate ChangesChanges

Al GoreAl Gore

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9 Minutes9 Minutes

Deserts in the Temperate ZoneDeserts in the Temperate Zone

Deserts in the temperate zones are usually Deserts in the temperate zones are usually located in land, far away from the oceans. The located in land, far away from the oceans. The winds that blow across these inland deserts winds that blow across these inland deserts carry little moisture. Although very hot during carry little moisture. Although very hot during the day, temperatures at night can drop to the day, temperatures at night can drop to below freezing. Inland deserts are found in below freezing. Inland deserts are found in Australia (the Great Sandy Desert) and Central Australia (the Great Sandy Desert) and Central Asia ( the Gobi Desert).Asia ( the Gobi Desert).