Weather Vs. Climate

•Weather: atmospheric conditions in a particular location over a short period of time (a day to a week)

The Weather Man!

Weather descriptions may include one or more of the following:• Temperature• Type and amount of

precipitation•Wind speed

• Relative humidity (the amount of water in the atmosphere)• Atmospheric pressure (the

force we feel from the weight of air above us)• Presence of fog, mist or cloud

cover

•Meteorologists are scientist that predict the weather. They use methods such as weather stations, weather balloons, aircrafts and satellites to help make predictions.

Weather is created by the interaction of water and air• the sun heats the atmosphere and

creates winds• water evaporates and condenses

forming clouds and precipitation• ocean water moves from the equator

to the poles to move heat around the earth

Climate: the average weather in a region over a long period of time, usually 30 years• climate gives a range of

temperatures for a region and whether it is likely to snow, rain etc.• determines the types of plants

and animals that can live there

Factors Affecting Climate:• distance from the equator• presence of large bodies of

water• presence of ocean currents or

air currents• land formations• height above sea level

The World’s Climate Zones

Climate vs. Weather

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUiwtVSkUwQ

Brainstorm! (5 minutes)

• How does weather affects us…

1)Economically2)Socially 3)Environmentally

Economic Effects of Climate- Heating and cooling- Creates jobs snow removal, meteorologist- More likely to take car/bus if cold/wet- Snow storm=closed buildings (lose $)- More snow = more shovels, road salt, snow

blowers sold- More travelers go to warmer places (winter

months)

Social Effects of Climate- Luxury of ski resorts/skating rinks open in

winter- Amusement parks, water parks open in

summer- Wear certain clothes depending on the

weather- Catch colds in winter, allergies in spring/fall- Affect travel plans (cancellations due to

weather)

Environmental Effects of Climate- Air conditioning in summer pollution

smog global warming- Take car when cold/wet pollution

global warming- Sunny outside skin cancer risk- Extreme weather events (tornado,

hurricane) cause environmental degradation