Objective: To know that climate is often defined by annual

temperatures and precipitation amounts.

Climate is the long term average of weather patterns of an area that includes temperature, wind, and precipitation.

Earth’s climate is classified into different regions.Cold polar tundraDry desertMediterraneanHumid subtropicalHighlandHumid continental Marine

Ex: A Mediterranean climate is mild, wet winters, and hot dry summers

Ex: A highland climate is cool to cold temperatures and occurs in the mountains and on high plateaus.

Earth’s climates are shaped by the energy received from the sun.

Latitude and altitude, & mountain barriers, also affect climate. Latitude: High latitudes

receive les solar radiation & have lower average temperatures. As latitude decrease, average temperatures increase.

Distribution of Land & Water: Land surfaces heat and cool rapidly. Ocean surfaces heat and cool slowly.

Ocean Currents: redistribute heat around the Earth.

Prevailing Winds: Influence climate by moving air, heat, and water vapor around Earth.

Human Influences on Climate: Burning fossil fuels releases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This could lead to an increases average temperatures at Earth’s surface.