Chapter 2: A Land Called Texas Section 2: The Texas Climate

1. Chapter 2: A Land Called TexasSection 2: The Texas Climate

2. Weather and Climate • Climate is an area’s pattern of weather over a long period of time • Things that affect Texas climate: • Location – Texas is closer to the Equator and therefore has hot summers and long periods of sunshine • Elevation – Temperatures are cooler in higher elevations because the air is less dense and thus not able to absorb heat well

3. Weather and Climate • Wind Patterns – The winds coming from the west blow warmer, drier air from the deserts into the state • The temperature of water rises and falls more slowly than air so the winds from the Gulf keeps the coast cooler in summer and warmer in the winter • The coast has a higher humidity (amount of moisture in the air) • Winds from the north bring cooler air into the northern part of the state

4. Rainfall in Texas • In Texas, the amount of precipitation increases across the state from west (8-16 inches per year) to east (39-56 inches per year) • Precipitation is the moisture falling as rain, snow, sleet, hail, or mist • The main reason east TX gets more rain is because of the warm moist air from the Gulf meets cooler air over land, the warm air rises, and causes rain to fall • When rainfall is much less than average, we experience a drought which damages crops

5. Severe Weather • Texas has severe ether including floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards • Floods – caused when rivers and streams overflow due to excess rain (mostly in Hill Country and the coast) • Tornadoes – violent funnel-shaped storms that develop inside severe thunderstorms • Texas is at the Southern edge of Tornado Alley • Mostly in the Panhandle and north-central Texas

6. Severe Weather • Hurricanes – huge storms that develop over the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf that come ashore with high winds, heavy rains, and tidal surges • Hurricane Season lasts from June until October • Storm of 1900 killed 6000-8000 people in Galveston • Hurricanes occur close to the coast

7. Severe Weather • Blizzards – large snow storms that bring high winds, ice, and snow • Usually in the Panhandle and north-central Texas

8. Texas Vegetation • Because of the diverse climate, landforms, and soil in Texas, the vegetation of Texas is very different across the state • West Texas – short grasses, cacti, yucca, and other plants that can grow in dry lands • Mountains – coniferous (cone-bearing) trees such as junipers and pines

9. Texas Vegetation • Prairies – native grasses • South Texas – shrubs and small trees • Gulf Coast – palm trees • East Texas – forests of pines, elm, hickory, and oak

10. Texas Vegetation • Lady Bird Johnson was the wife of President Lyndon B Johnson • She established the National Wildflower Research Center in Austin and worked to keep highways beautiful by planting wildflowers. These plants also prevented erosion, soil loss, by holding soil in place with their roots.

11. Texas Wildlife • The vegetation provides a habitat, environmental home, to a variety of animals including armadillos, bears, javelinas, alligators, catfish, shrimp, and more. • Due to the destruction of habitats, some animals are in danger of becoming extinct, or completely dying out. Examples include the gray wolf, whooping crane, and at one point, the buffalo.