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Climate: More Than Just Average Weather

Climate: More Than Just Average Weather. Climate describes the long-term weather patterns of an area. temperature, precipitation, wind Also: extent of ice, sea level, ground water levels, etc. The Greenhouse Effect. The Greenhouse Effect.

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Climate: More Than Just Average Weather

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  1. Climate: More Than Just Average Weather • Climate describes the long-term weather patterns of an area. • temperature, precipitation, wind • Also: extent of ice, sea level, ground water levels, etc.

  2. The Greenhouse Effect

  3. The Greenhouse Effect • Natural heating of Earth’s surface caused by the retention of heat by certain atmospheric gases called greenhouse gases. • water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, ozone

  4. The Goldilocks' Effect • "Venus is too hot, Mars is too cold, and Earth is just right."

  5. A Cold Alternative • Without greenhouse effect • heat would escape • Earth’s average temperature would be about 60ºF colder

  6. Factors affecting Climate • Topography • Large bodies of water moderate climate. • Mountain climates are usually cooler than those at sea level. • Climates often differ on either side of a mountain.

  7. Factors affecting Climate • Air Mass • Temperature, humidity, and wind greatly affected by air mass.

  8. Factors affecting Climate • Latitude • Temperature depends on amount of sun. • Amount of sun depends on location (tilt of the Earth). • Tropics are always warm; poles always cold.

  9. Climate Classification

  10. Climate Classification • The Koeppen classification system: • Temperature • Precipitation • Vegetation • Main divisions: tropical, mild, dry, continental, and polar

  11. Koeppen Classification System • Tropical Climates • Constant high temperatures • Either: • Wet year round (rainforest) • Wet season and dry season (savannah)

  12. Koeppen Classification System • Dry Climates • Largest climatic zone (30%) • Continental tropical (cT) air dominates • Precipitation is low • Vegetation is scarce

  13. Koeppen Classification System • Mild (Temperate) Climates • Greatly influenced by nearby oceans or seas • Warm summers, mild winters

  14. Koeppen Classification System • Continental Climates • Both summer and winter temperatures can be extreme • Summers are generally wetter than winters

  15. Koeppen Classification System • Polar Climates • Coldest regions on Earth • Low precipitation • The average temperature of the warmest month is less than 10°C (50°F).

  16. Climate Change

  17. Climate Change Can Be Natural • Climatic changes occurred long before humans came on the scene.

  18. Ice Ages • Global temperatures decreased by an estimated 5°C • Extensive glacial coverage • The most recent ice age ended about 10,000 years ago

  19. Seasons • Short-term periods of climatic change • Due to Earth’s tilt • Changes the amount of solar radiation received

  20. El Niño • Warm ocean current that develops off the western coast of South America. • Trade winds reverse direction • Warm water surges eastward • Jet stream shifts farther south

  21. El Niño

  22. El Niño • Stormy weather to areas that are normally dry • Drought conditions to areas that are normally wet. • Reduces number of hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean

  23. La Niña • Unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific • Stronger than usual trade winds • Jet stream shifts north • Opposite effects from El Niño

  24. La Niña

  25. Volcanic Activity • Volcanic dust • Can remain in the atmosphere for years • Blocks solar radiation • Lowers temperatures

  26. Solar Activity (aka sun spots) • High solar activity = warmer conditions • Low solar activity = cooler conditions • Occur in 11 year cycles

  27. Earth’s Orbit • More circular = cooler • More elliptical = warmer • 100,000 year cycle • Currently, slightly elliptical

  28. Earth’s Tilt • Current tilt = 23.44o • Varies from 22.1o to 24.5o • 41,000 year cycle • A larger tilt = hotter summers and colder winters for Northern Hemisphere.

  29. Earth’s Wobble • Wobbles as it spins on its axis. • Moves from Polaris (North Star) to Vega. • 26,000 year cycle • Vega = warmer summers and cooler winters for Northern Hemisphere

  30. The Human Factor

  31. Global Warming • A rise in global temperatures. • Natural phenomenon • Scientists agree that global warming is occurring, but they disagree about the cause. • Natural changes • Increased greenhouse gases

  32. The Human Impact

  33. Impact of Human Activities • Most human activities produce greenhouse gases • Why?  Burning of fossil fuels

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