What is Climate?

1. What is Climate? • Climate describes annual variations of temperature, precipitation, wind, and other weather variables. What Causes Climates? • Climates vary greatly due to: • Latitude, closeness to body of water, topography, elevation, ocean currents

2. Latitude

3. How does latitude affect climate? As latitude ________, the average annual temperature _________. increases decreases Temperature 0° Latitude 90°

4. Closeness to Large Bodies of Water

5. Iceland vs. Russia

6. Specific Heat • Specific Heat tells you how much energy is needed to change the temperature of 1 gram of a substance 1° C How will a substance respond to heat energy? • High Specific Heat – takes a lot of energy to raise its temperature • Low Specific Heat – doesn’t take a lot of energy to raise its temperature

10. How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate? Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers. _______ winters. moderates Cooler Warmer Cities A & B are located at the same latitude. City B is closer to a large body of water. Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

11. Topography

12. Topography

13. How does the Orographic Effect affect climate? Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________ cool, moist warm, dry

14. Elevation

15. How does elevation affect climate? As elevation _________, the average annual temperature __________. increases decreases Temperature Elevation

16. Ocean Currents

17. The Gulf Stream

18. How do ocean currents affect climate? Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate

19. Ocean Surface Currents • Surface currents are wind driven.

20. What about coastal regions? • During the day land is heated quickly. The heated air rises and the cool air from the sea moves sinks  sea breeze. • The reverse thing happens at night. Land Breeze. • The days are cooler and nights are warmer in coastal regions making a moderate climate throughout the year.

21. Koeppen Classification System

22. Who came up with this system? • WladimirKoeppen • Based this system on • Average monthly precipitation • Average monthly temperature • Type of vegetation ( ex: palm trees will not be found in polar regions)

24. 5 main Divisions • Tropical Climate • Dry Climate • Mild Climate • Continental Climate • Polar Climate

25. Using your textbook read pages 364- 368 • Write 3-5 facts about each climate. What makes that climate different.

26. Koeppen Classification System Tropical Climates • Characterized by constant high temperatures. • Tropical wet and dry zones include savannas, which are tropical grasslands. Dry Climates • Cover about 30 percent of Earth’s land area, make up the largest climatic zone. • Precipitation is low, and vegetation is scarce.

27. Koeppen Classification System Mild Climates • Mild climates can be classified into three subtypes: humid subtropical climates, marine west coast climates, and Mediterranean climates. Continental Climates • Classified into three subtypes: warm summer climates, cool summer climates, and subarctic climates. • Both summer and winter temperatures can be extreme.

28. Koeppen Classification System Polar Climates • The polar climates are the coldest regions on Earth. • Precipitation is generally low because cold air holds less moisture than warm air.