What happens to the sun’s energy What happens to the sun’s energy when it reaches Earth? when it reaches Earth?
Solar energy & Heat energy? Solar energy & Heat energy?
Air/Atmospheric PressureAir/Atmospheric Pressure
What happens when you climb in What happens when you climb in elevation? elevation?
High vs. Low? High vs. Low? – Warm vs. Cold?Warm vs. Cold?
Global Wind BeltsGlobal Wind Belts
Wind always flows from Wind always flows from pressure to pressure to
pressure. pressure. Global Energy Balance? Global Energy Balance? Prevailing Winds?Prevailing Winds? Doldrums?Doldrums? Westerlies?Westerlies? Front?Front? Jet Streams? Jet Streams?
Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents
Oceans affect climate?Oceans affect climate? Global Energy Exchange?Global Energy Exchange?
– Warm vs. Cool currents?Warm vs. Cool currents?
II. Weather Factors II. Weather Factors
Precipitation?Precipitation? Evaporation? Evaporation? Humidity?Humidity? Condensation?Condensation?
Elevation & Mountain EffectsElevation & Mountain Effects
Temp. drops 3.5° / 1,000 feet of Temp. drops 3.5° / 1,000 feet of elevation.elevation.
Orographic Effect?Orographic Effect?
III. Climate & Vegetation PatternsIII. Climate & Vegetation Patterns
Factors that affect climate:Factors that affect climate:– TemperatureTemperature– PrecipitationPrecipitation– ElevationElevation– Continental or Maritime locationContinental or Maritime location– Latitude Latitude
Tropical Humid ClimateTropical Humid Climate
Temps. & Precip.? Why?Temps. & Precip.? Why? 65 to over 450 inches/year65 to over 450 inches/year
Tropical Wet & Dry ClimateTropical Wet & Dry Climate
Just north & south of Trop. HumidJust north & south of Trop. Humid Distinct rainy & dry seasonsDistinct rainy & dry seasons More seasonal changes than Trop. More seasonal changes than Trop.
HumidHumid Supports savannas: grasslands Supports savannas: grasslands
w/scattered trees & shrubsw/scattered trees & shrubs Monsoon influenceMonsoon influence
Arid ClimateArid Climate Latitude?Latitude? Pressure Zone?Pressure Zone? Precip = <10 inches/yr. Precip = <10 inches/yr. Largest Dry Desert = Sahara Largest Dry Desert = Sahara
Semiarid Climate (Steppe)Semiarid Climate (Steppe)
Transition zone betw. Arid & HumidTransition zone betw. Arid & Humid Short grass vegetationShort grass vegetation Trees are rare…only found along Trees are rare…only found along
river banksriver banks Poor farming practices & overgrazing Poor farming practices & overgrazing
turn some steppes into deserts turn some steppes into deserts
Mid-Latitude Climates Mid-Latitude Climates (Temperate)(Temperate)
1. Mediterranean Climate1. Mediterranean Climate– Between 30° - 40° North & South Between 30° - 40° North & South – Western/Southern coastal areas of Western/Southern coastal areas of
EuropeEurope– West coast of continents w/cool currentsWest coast of continents w/cool currents– Avg. Winter temps = 50s Avg. Winter temps = 50s
2. Humid Subtropical Climate2. Humid Subtropical Climate– Eastern side of continents w/warm Eastern side of continents w/warm
ocean currentsocean currents– Hot/humid summers w/mild wintersHot/humid summers w/mild winters– Large temperate forests (deciduous & Large temperate forests (deciduous &
coniferous)coniferous)
3. Marine West Coast climate3. Marine West Coast climate– Heavily influenced by oceansHeavily influenced by oceans– Found on west coast of continents in Found on west coast of continents in
upper middle latitudesupper middle latitudes– Mild temps all year roundMild temps all year round
4. Humid Continental climate4. Humid Continental climate– Found in areas that receive both warm Found in areas that receive both warm
& cold air& cold air– Hot, humid summers w/cold wintersHot, humid summers w/cold winters– Interiors & east coasts of upper-middle Interiors & east coasts of upper-middle
latitude continentslatitude continents– 4 distinct seasons 4 distinct seasons
High Latitude ClimatesHigh Latitude Climates
1. Subarctic:1. Subarctic:– Found in high latitudes of Europe, Asia & Found in high latitudes of Europe, Asia &
N. AmericaN. America– Long, dark, cold wintersLong, dark, cold winters– Temps below freezing for 6 monthsTemps below freezing for 6 months– Short summers can have warm tempsShort summers can have warm temps– Greatest temp. rangeGreatest temp. range– Supports large boreal (evergreen) Supports large boreal (evergreen)
forestsforests
2. Tundra climate:2. Tundra climate:– Long, cold wintersLong, cold winters– Temps only above freezing during short Temps only above freezing during short
summerssummers– Supports tundra vegetation—mosses, Supports tundra vegetation—mosses,
herbs, low shrubsherbs, low shrubs– Water & soil below surface remains Water & soil below surface remains
frozen all year --> permafrost frozen all year --> permafrost
3. Ice Cap climate3. Ice Cap climate– Cold temps & snow all year roundCold temps & snow all year round– Found in polar regionsFound in polar regions– Precip = <10 inches! Precip = <10 inches!
4. Highland climate4. Highland climate– Temp changes w/increased elevationTemp changes w/increased elevation– Temp drops 3.5 degrees every 1,000 ft.Temp drops 3.5 degrees every 1,000 ft.