FactorsThat Affect

ClimateWeather vs. ClimateCreating Seasons

LAME COWS

Weather vs. Climate

Weather – condition of the

atmosphere in one place during a short period of time.

Climate – weather patterns typical

for an area over a long period of time.

Creating Seasons Revolution

– Orbit around the sun Rotation

– Earth rotates on its axis - 24 hours – from west to east.

Axial Tilt– Earth is tilted at 23 ½ ° differing the amount of

sunlight throughout the year.

Creating Seasons

Equinox– March 21 and September 23, suns rays on the

equator. Spring and Fall Solstice

– June 21, north hemisphere receives the most sun, Dec 22 Southern hemisphere receives most sun. Summer and Winter.

Creating Seasons

Eight Factors That Affect Climate

Latitude

Air Pressure

Mountain Barriers

Elevation

ContinentalLocation

Ocean Currents

Wind Currents

Storms

Latitude Major change

to climate Change as

you move North to South

Equator = direct rays = hot

Poles = indirect rays = cold

Air Pressure Caused by unequal

distribution of earths heat.

LP = warm, moist air rises → forms clouds → storms.

HP = cold dry air → sinks → stable and clear.

Mountain Barriers a.k.a. - Orographic

Precipitation a.k.a. – Rain Shadow

Effect

Windward side – Warm, moist air → up

windward side → cool moist air drops precipitation

Leeward side– Warm dry air → down

leeward side → little to no rain.

Elevation How far above sea

level you are. Every 1,000 feet

temperature changes 3.5°F.

Continental Location Water heats and cools more slowly than land. Coastline areas have stable temperature. Interiors of continent have extreme temperature

changes.

Ocean Currents Warm-water currents -

equator to the poles. Cold water currents - poles

to the equator. Coriolis effect – The

currents circular patterns are opposite of one another due to the Earth’s rotation.– Northern Hemisphere –

clockwise– Southern Hemisphere –

counter clockwise.

Wind Currents Air in high pressure

rushes into areas of low pressure – this causes wind.

Helps to distribute earth’s heat.

Coriolis effect

Storms Clashes between

warm and cold air masses– Hurricanes – tropical

storms moving heat from tropics.

– Tornadoes – powerful funnel shaped spiraling air.

Homework

Read page 58 in your textbook, section titled “The Greenhouse Effect”. (total of 6 paragraphs)– Answer the following questions,

Why is the earth’s atmosphere referred to as being like a greenhouse?

What human activities have caused there to be high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere?

Analyze the diagram on page 70. – Answer questions 1-4 in complete sentences.