WEATHER, WEATHER,

CLIMATE, &CLIMATE, &

ATMOSPHEREATMOSPHERE

Earth’s Relationship with the Earth’s Relationship with the SunSun

Most of the Earth’s energy comes from the Most of the Earth’s energy comes from the Sun.Sun.

This type of energy is called This type of energy is called solar energysolar energy. . Solar energy reaches Earth in two ways:Solar energy reaches Earth in two ways:

1.1. LightLight2.2. HeatHeat

What are some ways solar energy affects What are some ways solar energy affects things here on Earth?things here on Earth?

– The clothes we wear, the homes we live in, The clothes we wear, the homes we live in, the foods we grow & eat, and which sports we the foods we grow & eat, and which sports we playplay

Earth’s Relationship with the Earth’s Relationship with the Sun (Continued)Sun (Continued)

Three different Three different relationships relationships between Earth and between Earth and the sun control how the sun control how much solar energy much solar energy is received at is received at different locations:different locations:

1.1. RotationRotation

2.2. RevolutionRevolution

3.3. TiltTilt

Rotation, Revolution, & TiltRotation, Revolution, & Tilt

RotationRotation – the Earth rotates on its axis – the Earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours. This causes night and day.every 24 hours. This causes night and day.

RevolutionRevolution – the Earth revolves around – the Earth revolves around the sun every year (365 ¼ days).the sun every year (365 ¼ days).

TiltTilt – the Earth is tilted 23 1/2 – the Earth is tilted 23 1/2˚̊. The tilt of . The tilt of the earth’s axis determines the amount of the earth’s axis determines the amount of solar energy that different places receive solar energy that different places receive during the year.during the year.

Solar Energy & LatitudeSolar Energy & Latitude

Different places on Earth receive Different places on Earth receive different amounts of energy.different amounts of energy. Tropics – areas near the equator receive a lot Tropics – areas near the equator receive a lot

of solar energy and are warm all year. The of solar energy and are warm all year. The tropics are in the low-latitudes.tropics are in the low-latitudes.

Polar regions – areas at the high latitudes Polar regions – areas at the high latitudes that receive very little sun and are cold most that receive very little sun and are cold most of the time.of the time.

Middle latitudes – are the areas between the Middle latitudes – are the areas between the polar regions and the tropics. Temperatures polar regions and the tropics. Temperatures vary depending on the time of year.vary depending on the time of year.

The SeasonsThe Seasons Season – the time of greater or Season – the time of greater or

lesser heat.lesser heat. 4 total – summer, fall, winter, 4 total – summer, fall, winter,

and springand spring– Summer – daytime lasts longer Summer – daytime lasts longer

and the sun’s energy is and the sun’s energy is stronger.stronger.

– Fall & Spring – daylight & Fall & Spring – daylight & darkness are equal in length darkness are equal in length and the Sun’s energy is more and the Sun’s energy is more evenly distributedevenly distributed

The tilt of the Earth’s axis The tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the Northern & causes the Northern & Southern hemispheres to have Southern hemispheres to have opposite seasons at the same opposite seasons at the same time of year.time of year.

SolsticeSolstice Occurs twice in a Occurs twice in a

yearyear– June 21June 21stst - summer - summer

– the longest day – the longest day of yearof year

– December 21December 21stst - - winter – the winter – the shortest day of the shortest day of the yearyear

Earth’s poles tilt Earth’s poles tilt toward or away toward or away from the sun.from the sun.

EQUINOXEQUINOX Days and nights Days and nights

are equal are equal The direct rays of The direct rays of

the sun strike the the sun strike the equator.equator.

Sept 22 – Fall Sept 22 – Fall March 21 – springMarch 21 – spring

Difference between Weather & Difference between Weather & Climate Climate

Weather – conditions Weather – conditions in the atmosphere in the atmosphere day to day Ex.day to day Ex.

Climate – conditions Climate – conditions in the atmosphere in the atmosphere over a long period of over a long period of time. Ex. -Tropicaltime. Ex. -Tropical

Rain forest Rain forest

DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS

Temperature –Temperature –Doldrums –Doldrums –Prevailing winds -Prevailing winds -

Air pressureAir pressure Low pressure – warm air Low pressure – warm air expands & rises –expands & rises –Unstable 0-60 n/s Unstable 0-60 n/s (front) (front)

High pressure – cold air High pressure – cold air – heavy & dense – sinks – heavy & dense – sinks STABLE – 30-90 n/s STABLE – 30-90 n/s

                                                                

                          

WEATHER MAP

WINDSWINDSUS – westerlies – US – westerlies – west to east west to east

AtmosphereAtmosphereAir that surrounds Air that surrounds the earththe earth

GLOBAL GLOBAL CLIMATESCLIMATES

Classified by Classified by precipitation , precipitation , temperature, & vegetation temperature, & vegetation

LATITUDE – most LATITUDE – most influence influence

                                                                              

            

LOW LATITUDELOW LATITUDE

DesertDesertSavannaSavannaRainforestRainforeststeppesteppe

                                                  

         

                                                   

         

Middle LatitudeMiddle LatitudeMarine West CoastMarine West CoastHumid continentalHumid continentalMediterraneanMediterraneanHumid subtropicalHumid subtropical

                                                   

         

HC – only 1 that has 4 seasons

High latitudeHigh latitudeIcecapIcecapSubarcticSubarcticTundraTundraHighland Highland

TUNDRA