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WEATHER. You know you are in the Maritimes when. You often switch from heat to air conditioning in one day. You use a down filled comforter in the summer. Halloween costumes are designed to fit over snowsuits.
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You know you are intheMaritimes when.... • You often switch from heat to air conditioning in one day. • You use a down filled comforter in the summer. • Halloween costumes are designed to fit over snowsuits. • You know all of the four seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and construction
YOUR TASK: • In your group, discuss and answer the following question: How does the weather influence the lives of Atlantic Canadians? • Your response should include the topics: 1. homes 2. recreation 3. occupations 4. transportation 5. clothing • Present your ideas on the paper provided and select a spokesperson for your group to share your ideas
Notes: Meteorology – The scientific study of weather. Weather- the meteorological conditions (temperature, precipitation, wind). Condensation – happens when moist air rises and cools, creating clouds. Snow – ice crystals that form when it is too cold for raindrops to form (Below the freezing point). Blizzard – a snowstorm with very strong winds (56 km or higher). Wind – moving air; air that moves from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. Air pressure – a large difference in pressure creates strong, gusty winds; a small difference in pressure brings winds that are light and breezy; low pressure and warm air masses bring cloudy weather and a chance of storms; high pressure and cold air masses usually signal clear, fair weather; measured by a barometer
Precipitation – Rain, snow and hail. Water Cycle: 1. Evaporation – water changes from a liquid to an invisible gas called vapour. 2. Condensation – water vapours rise as it is warmed by the sun, and as it gets cold, is changed to tiny droplets of water – if it’s very cold, it changes to ice crystals instead of water. 3. Precipitation – droplets of water that fall (rain, snow, hail) You could be drinking water today that Sir John A. MacDonald drank over 200 years ago! Temperature – the measure of hotness or coldness in the air; measured by a thermometer. Fog – happens when warm, moist air moves over a cool area and condenses into water droplets – not big enough to fall as rain. Front – the leading edge of an air mass. Ultra Violet Report – tells us at which point our skin will begin to sunburn if left unprotected.
CLIMATE Climate – the average conditions of temperature, precipitation, humidity, pressure and wind in a particular area. The factors that affect climate: 1. Latitude – position on the earth from the equator (north to south) 2. Air masses - large volumes of air with similar temperature and moisture conditions throughout; CONTINENTAL ARCTIC air travels from Northern Canada and feels cold and dry; MARITIME TROPICAL air travels from the Caribbean and feels warm and moist; MARITIME POLAR air travels from the Atlantic east of Newfoundland and feels cool and moist 3. Ocean Currents – waters of the world’s oceans that are constantly in motion; GULF STREAM – an ocean current from the south; LABRADOR CURRENT – an ocean current from the north 4. Proximity to water – how close the area is to water (Remember – water heats up and cools downs more slowly than land). 5. Elevation – As you go up, the temperature drops
Atlantic Canadian Climate Climate – the average conditions of temperature, precipitation, humidity, pressure and wind in a particular area. What factors contribute to the climate in Atlantic Canada? Think about when we talked about latitude and longitude. Do you think it will be a factor? What about the wind? Does the ocean have a large affect on our weather? Does the weather differ if you are the top of Mt. Carlton compared to sitting in a fishing dory off the coast of PEI?
Latitude All parts of the globe receive the same amount of daylight hours over the course of a year. However, due to the shape of the earth (sphere) the sun is more intense in lower latitudes(closer to the equator).
Air Masses Large volumes of air with similar temperature and moisture conditions are called air masses. Air masses affect climate as they often take on the temperature and humidity characteristics from which they originate.
Air Masses When Continental Artic air from northern Canada rolls in it feels cold and dry. When Maritime Tropical air wafts in from the Caribbean, it feels warm and moist. When Maritime Polar air blows in from the Atlantic ocean in the east it feels cool and moist.
Ocean Currents Ocean currents, like air masses, also affect our maritime climate. The water in the planets oceans are constantly in motion. Tides are rising and falling and currents are moving water from place to place. For us in Atlantic Canada two major currents affect our climate: the warm Gulf Stream from the south and the cold Labrador Current the north. Fog is common where the two currents meet because the warm moist air from the south meets the cooled are from the north.
Other Factors Proximity to water and the elevation of the land are two other factors that can affect climate. Using the text book answer questions 2, 3 and 8a.
CLIMATE CHANGE: Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). Climate change may result from: Natural factors, such as changes in the sun's intensity or slow changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun; Natural processes within the climate system (e.g., changes in ocean circulation) and Human activities that change the atmosphere's composition (e.g., through burning fossil fuels) and the land surface (e.g., deforestation, reforestation, urbanization and desertification)
GREENHOUSE EFFECT: Life can only exist on earth because it has an Atmosphere. It is like a blanket of air that keeps the temperature on earth just right for centuries. We call this the greenhouse effect. Without this ‘greenhouse effect’, the sun’s heat would escape into space and it would be too cold on earth to survive. The average temperature of the earth’s surface is 15 degrees Celsius. Without the natural greenhouse effect, the temperature would be -16 degrees Celsius –ALL OF THE TIME! But if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, it could make the Earth warmer than usual. Even a little extra warming may cause problems for humans, plants, and animals. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/greenhouse.html
When Do You Send Greenhouse Gases into the Air? Whenever you ...Watch TV, Use the Air Conditioner, Turn on a Light, Use a Hair Dryer, Ride in a Car, Play a Video Game, Listen to a Stereo ,Wash or Dry Clothes, Use a Dish Washer, Microwave a Meal
Why? To perform many of these functions, you need to use electricity. Electricity comes from power plants. Most power plants use coal and oil to make electricity. Burning coal and oil produces greenhouse gases.
Other things we do send greenhouse gases into the air... Other Things That We Do... The trash that we send to landfills produces a greenhouse gas called methane. Methane is also produced by the animals we raise for dairy and meat products and when we take coal out of the ground. Whenever we drive or ride in a car, we are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. And, when factories make the things that we buy and use everyday, they too are sending greenhouse gases into the air. The trash that we send to landfills produces a greenhouse gas called methane. Methane is also produced by the animals we raise for dairy and meat products and when we take coal out of the ground. Whenever we drive or ride in a car, we are adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. And, when factories make the things that we buy and use everyday, they too are sending greenhouse gases into the air.
SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? • If temperatures rise above normal levels for a few days, it's no big deal – the Earth will stay more or less the same. But if temperatures continue to rise over a longer period of time, then the Earth may experience some problems. ..What might happen? • 1. People’s Health: Climate change may affect people's health both directly and indirectly. For example, heat stress and other heat related health problems are caused directly by very warm temperatures and high humidity. • 2. Affect ecosystems: Climate change may alter the world's habitats and ecosystems – all living things are included in and rely on these places. Many of these places depend on a delicate balance of rainfall, temperature, and soil type. A rapid change in climate could upset this balance and seriously endanger many living things.
3. Sea levels rise: Global warming may make the sea level become higher. Why? Well, warmer weather makes glaciers melt. 4. Crops and Food Supply: Global warming may make the Earth warmer in cold places. People living in these places may have a chance to grow crops in new areas. But climate change also might bring droughts to other places where we grow crops. In some parts of the world, people may not have enough to eat because they cannot grow the food that they need.
Your Task: You are a delegate, representing your country, at an international conference on global warming. Write a plan of action to address global warming both nationally and internationally. What can we do in Canada, and what can the world do together?
How is Weather Examined? Weather radar stations – located throughout the Atlantic region; detects and locates the amount of precipitation in clouds. Weather satellites – take pictures of the earth’s surface and transmits them to weather stations on the ground.
