Chapter%204:%20Climate%20and%20Climate%20Change

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Chapter 4 Climate and Climate Change

• Section 1 What Causes Climate

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• Weather condition of the atmosphere at a
  particular place and time (short term)
• Climate average conditions of temperature,
  precipitation, winds and clouds in an area (long
  term)

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What Causes Climate?

• Temperature (cold or warm climate)
• Precipitation (dry or humid climate)

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Factors Affecting Temperature

• Latitude
• Altitude
• Distance From Large Bodies of Water
• Ocean Currents

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Latitude

• Latitude The distance from the equator measured
  in degrees
• Temperature Zones
• Tropical Zones warm climates
• Temperate Zones ranging temperatures
• Polar Zones cold climates

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Altitude

• Altitude elevation above sea level
• High land areas have cooler climates
• Higher altitudes cooler temperatures
• Lower altitudes warmer temperatures

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Distance From Large Bodies of
Water

• Marine Climates warmer winters and cooler
  summers
• Continental Climates colder winters and warmer
  summers

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Ocean Currents

• Oceans and lakes can affect temperatures/climate
• Ocean Currents- streams of water within the ocean
  that move in regular patterns
• 3 examples Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift,
  California Current

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Factors Affecting Precipitation

• Prevailing Winds
• Mountain Ranges

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Prevailing Winds

• movement of air masses caused by directional
  winds in a region
• The amount of water vapor in an air mass
  influences how much rain or snow will fall
• The amount of water vapor in the prevailing wind
  depends on where the wind comes from

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Mountain Ranges

• Air forced up the mountain cools, condenses, and
  creates clouds
• Falls as precipitation on windward side
• Leeward side of mountain has drier conditions

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Microclimates

• Microclimates small region with specific climate
  conditions
• Examples parks, cities, areas near lakes or
  ponds, gardens, etc.