WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Geography Sec 1 E learning Lesson

What we will cover… What is weather and what is climate?

Their difference? Elements of climate and weather

(Temperature and Rainfall How do we measure temperature and

rainfall? Different types of major climates.

What is Weather and Climate? Weather is defined as the condition of a

place over a short period of time. Climate refers to the weather pattern of

a place over a long period of time.

How do you determine weather and climate? Use of

Temperature Rainfall Wind

Temperature Defined as the degree of hotness or

coldness of the air It varies:

Throughout the day (eg. Cooler in the early morning and hot in the afternoon)

Temperature There is a difference between

temperatures at the equator and poles It is hotter near the equator then the

poles

Temperature The height of land (High mountain to

lowland) As you go higher, it gets colder. As you

get closer to the surface, it gets warmer. This is because air is warmest at the surface

Measuring Temperature Temperature can be measured in

different ways. You use a THERMOMETER to measure

temperature. First measurement: Maximum

Temperature (high) and Minimum Temperature (low).

Calculating Temperature Mean Daily Temperature

(Daily Max. Temperature + Daily Min.Temperature) ÷ 2

Daily Temperature Range Daily Max. Temperature – Daily Min.

Temperature Mean Monthly Temperature

Sum of mean daily temperature for the month ÷ Number days in month.

Calculating Temperature Mean ANNUAL temperature

Sum of monthly temperatures in the year ÷ 12

Annual temperature range Max. mean monthly temperature – Min.

monthly temperature

Stevenson Screen

Stevenson’s vital stats It is a wooden box with louvers

(Openings)rculate for the air to circulate.

The roof is made of double layers to protect the instrument from the direct rays of the sun

It is painted white to reflect the heat from the sun

The box stands on four legs about 1 meter above the ground.

BREAK

Rainfall Refers to the amount of rain an area

receives over a period of time.

Measuring rainfall We use a rain gauge

Rain Gauge It is made up of 5 parts (an outer

casing, a copper cylinder, a glass bottle, a funnel and a separate measuring cylinder)

Measuring Rainfall Measured in millimeters (mm) or

centimeters (cm) Rainwater collected after 24 hours is

emptied and measured. This is called daily rainfall.

Monthly Rainfall refers to rainfall in a month

Annual Rainfall refers to rainfall in a year

Climograph

BREAK

Wind Wind is the movement of air from one

place to another. This is due to difference in air pressure

caused by heat.

Measuring Wind We use a Wind Vane to record the

direction of the wind.

Major Types of climate Tropical Climate

It lies on between the equator and the tropic of cancer and capricorn.

The sun’s rays are more intense at or near the equator Experience high temperatures ranging from 20ºC to

30ºC Receives same amount of energy all year round Has high annual rainfall ranging from 1000mm to

2000mm or more. Hot and wet climate Examples???

Temperate Climate Lie between Tropic of Cancer and Arctic Circle,

and Tropic of Capricorn and Antarctic Circle Experience four seasons every year: Spring,

Summer, Autumn and Winter Receive different amounts of sunlight in

different periods of the year. Moderate temperatures and moderate rainfall

throughout the year Examples???

Major Types of climate

Polar Climate Lies between Arctic Circle and North Pole,

and Antarctic Circle and South Pole. Experience summer and winter From March to September: North Pole

experience six months of sun. From October to February: South Pole experience six months of sun

Very Dry because of lack of water vapour Examples???

Major Types of climate

Impacts of weather and Climate on people Daily Activities

Weather will determine whether we stay indoors or participate in outdoor activities.

Housing Humans like to live in places that are not

too hot or cold.

Impacts of weather and Climate on people

Tourism Some climates provide different tourism

experiences

Impacts of weather and Climate on people

Production of Electricity Use of wind energy

Impacts of weather and Climate on people

Food and Water Supplies Different crops thrive under different

conditions

Impacts of weather and Climate on people

Loss of lives and property Extreme conditions can destroy lives and

property

Impacts of weather and Climate on people