Climate and Seasons

Unit 4
What is climate?
● Climate is the average weather usually taken over a
30+ year time period for a particular region.
● Climate is not weather — it is the average pattern of
weather for a particular region.
● Weather describes a short-term state of the
atmosphere.
What is our climate system?
● A region’s climate is generated by the climate system,
which has five components: the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
Atmosphere (air)
● The atmosphere covers the earth. It is a thin layer of
mixed gases that makes up the air we breathe. This
thin layer also helps to regulate the Earth’s
temperature, so that it doesn’t get too hot or too cold.
Hydrosphere (water)
● The hydrosphere of Earth represents the combined
mass of water on the planet. Oceans cover over 70% of
the Earth’s surface. Their large size and thermal
properties allow them to store a lot of heat.
Lithosphere (land)
● The lithosphere of the Earth comprises of the crust and
the upper mantle. Land covers 27% of Earth’s surface,
and land topography influences weather patterns.
Cryosphere (ice)
● Earth’s cryosphere is made up of everything where
water is in its solid form. This includes ice, snow,
glaciers, and other forms of frozen water.
● Ice is the world’s largest source of fresh water. It
covers the remaining 3% of Earth’s surface. Ice plays
an important role in regulating climate, because it is
highly reflective.
Biosphere (life)
● The biosphere is the part of the Earth’s atmosphere
that supports any living plant, animal, or organism. It
is the place where plants and animals, including
humans, live.
Extra: Pedosphere (soil)
● The pedosphere is the outermost layer of Earth that
contains soil. It is the meeting point (interface) of the
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere,
and only develops where there is a dynamic (moving)
relationship among the 4 spheres. It is the foundation
of all terrestrial life.
Climate Zones
● There are 5 climate zones: tropical, dry, moderate,
continental, and polar.
● Each of the 5 climate zones have their own sub climate
zones.
● Climate Zones:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/oceans_
weather_climate/media/climate_zones.swf
Tropical Climate Zone
● Tropical climates are usually found near the equator.
● There are two subcategories under the Tropical
climate zone:
1. Tropical Wet
2. Tropical Wet and Dry
Tropical Wet
● Tropical wet climates are hot and muggy all year
round. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are frequent,
with these regions averaging from 70 to 100 inches per
year. Temperatures do not fall below 64°F even during
the coolest part of the year. These climates are usually
found between 5 to 10 degrees north and south of the
equator.
Tropical Wet and Dry
● Tropical wet and dry climates, also known as tropical
savannas, have mostly warm to hot temperatures.
Temperatures fluctuate moderately during the day and
throughout the year. Areas with this climate receive
moderate rainfall during the year, with wetter
summers and drier winters. They are usually located
on the edges of tropical wet climates.
Dry Climate Zone
● Dry climates are usually found in desert regions.
● There are two subcategories under the Dry climate
zone:
1. Arid
2. Semiarid
Arid
● Arid climates are characterized by very hot summers
and mild to cold winters. These areas have very little
cloud cover and scarce rainfall throughout the year.
Semiarid
● Semiarid (or steppe) climates are like arid climates but
more moderate temperatures. They typically surround
desert areas. Rainfall is slightly higher than that of
arid regions.
Moderate Climate Zone
● Moderate Climate Zones have three subcategories:
1. Mediterranean
2. Humid Subtropical
3. Marine West Coast
Mediterranean
● Mediterranean climates have warm to hot and dry
summers, and mild and rainy winters. These climates
are usually found on coasts.
Humid Subtropical
● Humid Subtropical climates are characterized by warm
to hot summers and cool winters. Rainfall is evenly
distributed throughout the year.
● Humid Subtropical climates are usually found in the
interiors of continents.
Marine West Coast
● Marine West Coast climates are only found on the
western sides of continents because the wind direction
is from sea to land. Winters are cool and mild, and
summers are mild with moderate precipitation.
Continental Climate Zone
● Continental Climate Zones contain two subcategories:
1. Humid Continental
2. Subarctic
Humid Continental
● Humid Continental climates are characterized by mild
to warm summers and cold winters. Precipitation is
generally distributed evenly throughout the year.
Subarctic
● Subarctic climates have short, cool summers and long,
bitterly cold winters. This climate receives most of its
precipitation in the summer.
Polar Climate Zone
● The polar climate zone is divided into two categories:
1. Tundra
2. Ice Cap
Tundra
● Tundra climates are dry with a brief, chilly summer
and a bitterly cold winter. They occur on the northern
edges of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Ice Cap
● Ice Cap climates are the coldest on Earth. Even in
summer, temperatures rarely rise above the freezing
point. Winter temperatures are extremely low and
winter conditions are long and dark.
Highlands
● The highland climate is not defined with the main
climate zones. These climates occur in mountainous
regions, where elevation plays a role in the weather
and climate. Each range of elevation has slightly
different climate characteristics.
5 Factors that affect climate
1. Latitude - the further you are from the equator, the
cooler the temperatures.
2. Wind/Air Masses - air masses carry the conditions from
where they originate. If the wind comes from a colder
area, it will lower temperatures. If the wind comes
from a higher temperature, it will increase
temperatures.
5 Factors that affect climate
3. Altitude/Elevation - the higher up you go, the colder it
gets. This is because as elevation increases, the air
becomes less dense. Less dense air cannot hold as
much heat as dense air, meaning as elevation
increases, temperature decreases.
4. Distance to Water - large bodies of water have a
moderating effect on temperature. Water warms and
cools slower, so coastal regions have a lower difference
in temperature throughout the year.
5 Factors that affect climate
5. Landforms - landforms alter patterns of precipitation.
The way they are shaped can increase or decrease
sunlight exposure and can act as barriers or producers
of different forms of precipitation.
Climate Graphs
● 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 shown in blue.
● Some graphs show both the average daily high and
daily low temperatures. These graphs use a red line for
high temperature and a blue line for low
temperatures.
Examples of Climate Graphs
Reading Climate Graphs
● One side of the axis has temperature and the other has
rainfall levels. Match the line graph with the
temperature at any month, and bar graph with the
rainfall.
● Don’t forget to look at the scales and units of the
graph!
What causes weather?
● Because the Earth is round and not flat, the Sun's rays don't fall evenly on the land and
oceans. The Sun shines more directly near the equator bringing these areas more warmth.
However, the polar regions are at such an angle to the Sun that they get little or no sunlight
during the winter, causing colder temperatures. These differences in temperature create a
restless movement of air and water in great swirling currents to distribute heat energy from
the Sun across the planet. When air in one region is warmer than the surrounding air, it
becomes less dense and begins to rise, drawing more air in underneath. Elsewhere, cooler
denser air sinks, pushing air outward to flow along the surface and complete the cycle.
How do mountains affect weather and climate?
● There are two sides to a mountain: windward and leeward. Whenever it
is raining, the windward side gets the rain. As a cloud goes up the
mountain, it keeps raining until there is no more water in the cloud.
Now, as the cloud starts to go down the other side of the mountain, there
is no more precipitation. So, the leeward side of the mountain doesn't
get any rain. The flat ground on this side of the mountain is dry and
humid.
Rain Shadow
● A rain shadow is a dry area on the leeward side of a
mountainous area (away from the wind). The
mountains block the passage of rain-producing weather
systems and cast a "shadow" of dryness behind them.
Why do we have seasons?
● As the Earth spins on its axis, producing night and day, it also moves
about the Sun in an elliptical (elongated circle) orbit that requires 365
1/4 days to complete. The Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees and is why
we have seasons. When the Earth's axis points towards the Sun, it is
summer for that hemisphere. When the Earth's axis points away, winter
can be expected.
What is an equinox?
● An equinox occurs when the Earth is not tilted and the
center of the Sun is directed at the equator. Daytime
and nighttime are about equal in duration.
What is a solstice?
● A solstice happens when the Earth is tilted 23.5
degrees and the center of the Sun is directed at the
Tropic of Cancer or the Tropic of Capricorn.
● The Tropic of Cancer is located at 23.5°N latitude, and
the Tropic of Capricorn is located at 23.5°S latitude.
● The day of the solstice is either the longest day of
summer or the shortest day of winter (depending on
region and time).
Vernal Equinox
● On March 20-22, the sun is overhead at the equator.
This marks the vernal equinox, and the beginning of
spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
● For the Southern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox
occurs in September. They have opposite seasons.
● Northern and Southern hemispheres have flipped
seasons!
Autumnal Equinox
● On September 21-23, the sun is overhead at the
equator. This marks the autumnal equinox, and the
beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.
● For the Southern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox
occurs in March. They have opposite seasons.
● Northern and Southern hemispheres have flipped
seasons!
Summer Solstice
● The summer solstice happens during a hemisphere’s
summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, this takes place
on June 20-22, while in the Southern Hemisphere, this
takes place on December 20-22. It is the longest day of
the year.
Winter Solstice
● The winter solstice happens during a hemisphere’s
winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, this takes place
on December 20-22, while in the Southern Hemisphere,
this takes place on June 20-22. It is the shortest day of
the year.
Why is the sun important?
● Without the sun, there would be no weather. Our
planet is located at the perfect distance to suit life.
Telling time with the sun
● The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west.
Because of this, the sun’s location in the sky and give
you an approximation of the time.
Why do we get more sunlight in the summer?
● The location of the sun determines the length of day.
During the winter months, the hemisphere is pointed
away from the sun, so it takes a shorter time for the
sun to move from horizon to horizon. In the summer
months, the hemisphere is pointed toward the sun, so
it takes longer for the sun to travel across the horizon,
resulting in longer daytimes.
The Moon
● The tidal effect of the moon helps recirculate the
oceans.
● The moon creates high tides and low tides depending
on its position.
Why do leaves change color?
● During the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where
most of the foods necessary for the tree's growth are manufactured. This
food-making process takes place in the leaf in numerous cells containing
chlorophyll, which gives the leaf its green color. Along with the green
pigment are yellow to orange to red pigments as well. Most of the year
these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring. But in the
fall, because of changes in the length of daylight and changes in
temperature, the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll
breaks down, the green color disappears, and the yellow to orange to red
colors become visible and give the leaves part of their fall splendor. The
best time to enjoy the autumn color would be on a clear, dry, and cool
day.
Climate Change
● Climate change represents a change in long-term
weather conditions. It can be illustrated with a change
in temperature or a change in precipitation amounts.
Global Warming
● Global warming refers to an average increase in the
Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in
climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in
rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range
of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When
scientists talk about the issue of climate change, their
concern is about global warming caused by human
activities.
The Greenhouse Effect
● The greenhouse effect is the rise in temperature that the Earth
experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere like water vapor,
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane trap energy from the sun.
Without these gases, heat would escape back into space and Earths
average temperature would be about 60ºF colder and would not be warm
enough for humans to live. But if the greenhouse effect becomes
stronger, it could make the Earth warmer than usual.
Deforestation
● Deforestation is the cutting down large numbers of trees to use the land
for something instead of a forest. Cutting down trees can affect the
climate. After rain falls on a forest, mist rises and new rain clouds form.
When forests are cut down, this cycle is disrupted, and the area
eventually grows drier, causing a change in the local climate. If huge
areas of trees are cut down, the carbon dioxide they would have used
builds up in the atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
And without trees to hold the soil and absorb water, rain washes topsoil
away, a process called soil erosion.
Erosion
● Erosion is the wearing away of the land by water, ice or wind. Soil erosion
is a natural process. It becomes a problem when human activity causes it
to occur much faster than under natural conditions. Wind and water are
the main agents of soil erosion.
Acid Rain
● Acid rain is rain, snow or fog that is polluted by acid in the atmosphere
and damages the environment. Two common air pollutants acidify rain:
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. When these substances are released
into the atmosphere, they can be carried over long distances by
prevailing winds before returning to earth as acidic rain, snow, fog or
dust. When the environment cannot neutralize the acid being deposited,
damage occurs.