Weather & Climate

Today’s Focus:

• What are the differences between weather and climate?

• Understanding the 6 factors that affect the climate of a region.

• Weather:–Combination of temperature,

precipitation, cloud cover, and winds experienced daily.

• Climate:–Weather conditions of a place

averaged over a long period of time.

• Meteorologists often point out that

"climate is what you expect and weather is what you get."

Or, as one middle school student put it,

"Climate helps you decide what clothes to buy, weather helps you decide what clothes to wear."

Weather and Climate Video:

• http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/science/earth-sci/climate-weather-sci/

• WHY should we learn about Weather and Climate?

Why do some regions have a hot climate, and others cold?

Why do some regions have a hot climate, and others cold?

• Answer:

L.O.W.E.R. Near Water

Latitude:Distance from the Equator is a key factor in determining whether

a climate is hot or cold.

• Places closer to the North and South poles = colder temperatures

• Places near the equator = warmer temperatures

Ocean Currents:

Ocean currents are like rivers that move within the ocean.

Temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature of air that passes over it.

Wind & Air Masses:

• What is an AIR MASS?• An air mass is a large

volume of air that takes on the climatic conditions of the area where it is formed.

Elevation:

• The Higher in Altitude, the Colder in Temperature.

• As the air rises, it expands because of the lower air pressure.

• As the air expands, it cools.

Relief:

• Precipitation created when an air mass rises to cross a mountain barrier

Near Water:

• In the summer the water acts like an air conditioner to keep the air temperatures cool

• In the winter water acts like a heater to keep the temperatures from getting too cold

• Continental Climate (Away from water)• Maritime Climate (Close to water)