ClimateClimate

ClimateClimate

• Average weather conditions at a Average weather conditions at a location over a long period of time.location over a long period of time.

• Determined by Determined by temperaturetemperature and and precipitationprecipitation..

4 Factors Affecting 4 Factors Affecting Climate Climate

(Temperature & Precipitation)(Temperature & Precipitation)

1.1. Latitude Latitude (uneven heating from equator to poles)(uneven heating from equator to poles)

2.2. Elevation Elevation (temperature drops the higher your elevation)(temperature drops the higher your elevation)

3. Distance from Large Bodies of 3. Distance from Large Bodies of WaterWater

(oceans, seas, large lakes)(oceans, seas, large lakes)• oceans hold their heat longer creating mild coastal oceans hold their heat longer creating mild coastal

climatesclimates

4. Ocean Currents4. Ocean Currents• Warm-water currents warm coastal climatesWarm-water currents warm coastal climates

• Cold-water currents cool coastal climates.Cold-water currents cool coastal climates.

Climate ZonesClimate Zones

(Temperature and (Temperature and Precipitation)Precipitation)

FOUR Basic Climate Zones FOUR Basic Climate Zones (Based on Temperature & Precipitation)(Based on Temperature & Precipitation)

• TropicalTropical – – (0-25 degrees latitude) warm temps year (0-25 degrees latitude) warm temps year round & high levels of precipitationround & high levels of precipitation

• Desert (Arid)Desert (Arid) – – (25-35 degrees latitude) hot temps (25-35 degrees latitude) hot temps during day & low levels of precipitationduring day & low levels of precipitation

• TemperateTemperate – – (35-60 degrees latitude) seasonal (35-60 degrees latitude) seasonal temps & moderate/seasonal precipitationtemps & moderate/seasonal precipitation

• PolarPolar – – (60-90 degrees latitude) cold temps year (60-90 degrees latitude) cold temps year round & low levels of precipitationround & low levels of precipitation

FOUR Basic Climate ZonesFOUR Basic Climate Zones

Koppen’s Climate Zone Koppen’s Climate Zone ClassificationClassification

Koppen’s Koppen’s Climate Climate Zone Zone ClassificationClassificationss

Climate ChangeClimate Change

El NinoEl Nino (impact on global climate for 1-2 yrs)

•Dry conditions in Dry conditions in the western Pacific the western Pacific (Australia & (Australia & Indonesia)Indonesia)

•Heavy rainfall in Heavy rainfall in South America South America (Peru) & Southern (Peru) & Southern U.S.U.S.

•Mild winter temps Mild winter temps in Northern U.S.in Northern U.S.

Volcanic EruptionVolcanic Eruption (1-100s of yrs depending on size of eruption)

• Volcanic dust & sulfur dioxide blocks solar energy

Meteor ImpactMeteor Impact (similar to volcanic eruptions)

Global WarmingGlobal Warming (human impact on atmosphere, could be 100s of yrs)

Ice AgesIce Ages (1000s of yrs)

Ice AgeIce Age (from ocean current “conveyor (from ocean current “conveyor belt”)belt”)

Continental DriftContinental Drift (millions of yrs)