Climate

1
Climate
2
Todays Goals

• Define the term climate.
• What factors influence the climate of an area?
• Identify the location and characteristics of four
  basic climate zones
• Interpret Climate Graphs to determine climate
  zones

3
Climate

• Average weather conditions at a location over a
  long period of time.
• Determined by average temperature and amount of
  precipitation.

4
4 Factors Affecting Climate (Temperature
Precipitation)
5
Why do the following locations have different
climates?
Russia
Brazil, South America
6
Latitude Uneven heating from equator to poles
7
Why do the following locations in France have
different climates?
Tignes, France
8
Elevation temperature drops the higher your
elevation
9
Why do the following locations at similar
latitudes and elevation in the U.S. have
different climates?

• Portland Minneapolis

10
3. Distance from Large Bodies of Water (oceans,
seas, large lakes)

• oceans hold their heat longer creating mild
  coastal climates (ex Portland see graph below)

11
Why do the following coastal locations at similar
latitudes have different climates?

• Scilly Isles

Newfoundland
12
4. Ocean Currents

• Warm-water currents warm coastal climates
• Ex Labrador Current and Natashquan
• Cold-water currents cool coastal climates.
• Ex London and Gulf Stream

Gulf Stream
13
FOUR Basic Climate Zones

• Based on Temperature PrecipitationUsually
  found at the latitudes listed below
• Tropical (0-25 degrees latitude)
• Desert (Arid) (25-35 degrees latitude)
• Temperate (35-60 degrees latitude)
• Polar (60-90 degrees latitude)

14
FOUR Basic Climate Zones
15

• Tropical (0-25 degrees latitude)
• Temperature warm year round
• Precipitation high levels of precipitation

16

• Desert (Arid) (25-35 degrees latitude)
• Temperature hot during the day
• Precipitation low levels

17

• Temperate (35-60 degrees latitude)
• Temperature seasonal variation
• Precipitation moderate to seasonal

18

• Polar (60-90 degrees latitude)
• Temperature cold year round
• Precipitation low levels

19
Reading a Climate Graph

• READ ONLY - Climate graphs are used to illustrate
  the average temperature and rainfall experienced
  at a particular place over the course of a year.
  The graphs consist of a red line graph showing
  average monthly temperature, and a simple column
  graph showing average monthly rainfall figures.
  Rainfall is, by tradition, shown in blue.
• Which of the FOUR climate zones are both Portland
  Minneapolis?

20
ANSWER -

• Both Portland AND Minneapolis are considered
  TEMPERATE.

21
Climate Activity Directions

• Complete the Climate Activity (1-25) on the back
  of your Climate Worksheet with a partner.
• You will need the Climate Activity Packet
  provided by your teacher to complete the
  questions.
• PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ON THE PACKET.
• Return the packet to the teacher at the end of
  class.
• If you do not finish you can access the Climate
  Activity packet on my School Wires site.

22
Climate Change
23
El Nino (impact on global climate for 1-2 yrs)

• Dry conditions in the western Pacific (Australia
  Indonesia)
• Heavy rainfall in South America (Peru) Southern
  U.S.
• Mild winter temps in Northern U.S.

24
Volcanic Eruption (1-100s of yrs depending on
size of eruption)

• Volcanic dust sulfur dioxide blocks solar energy

25
Meteor Impact (similar to volcanic eruptions)
26
Global Warming (human impact on atmosphere,
could be 100s of yrs)
27
Ice Ages (1000s of yrs)
28
Ice Age (from ocean current conveyor belt)
29
Continental Drift (millions of yrs)