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Chapter 4: Climate and Climate Change

Chapter 4: Climate and Climate Change. Section 1: What Causes Climate. 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). What Causes Climate?.

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Chapter 4: Climate and Climate Change

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  1. Chapter 4: Climate and Climate Change Section 1: What Causes Climate

  2. 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)

  3. What Causes Climate? • Temperature (cold or warm climate) • Precipitation (dry or humid climate)

  4. Factors Affecting Temperature • Latitude • Altitude • Distance From Large Bodies of Water • Ocean Currents

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

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

  7. Distance From Large Bodies of Water • Marine Climates: warmer winters and cooler summers • Continental Climates: colder winters and warmer summers

  8. 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

  9. Factors Affecting Precipitation • Prevailing Winds • Mountain Ranges

  10. 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

  11. 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

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

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