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Climate

Climate. What is Climate?. Climate can be defined as Weather (Temperature and Precipitation) over a long period of time. Three Factors Affect Temperature. 1. Latitude – distance north/south of the equator. Temperature is warmer closer to the equator, colder farther from the equator.

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Climate

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  1. Climate

  2. What is Climate? • Climate can be defined as Weather (Temperature and Precipitation) over a long period of time.

  3. Three Factors Affect Temperature • 1. Latitude – distance north/south of the equator. Temperature is warmer closer to the equator, colder farther from the equator. • 2. Elevation – height above sea level: it is colder and drier the higher up you go. • 3. Ocean Current – temperature of surface water affect the temperature of the air above it.

  4. Precipitation • Moisture that falls to earth (rain, snow, sleet, hail) • Two factors affect precipitation: prevailing winds and mountain ranges.

  5. Prevailing Winds • Cool air carries little moisture, warm air can carry much moisture: wind direction and origin determine temperature and moisture content.

  6. Mountain Ranges • Act as barriers to moving air masses • Rainy on the Windward side of the mountain • Dry on the Leeward side of the mountain

  7. Climate Zones • Temperate – from 600 to 300 North and South of the equator, wide average temperature range – 50C to 200C, with seasonal extremes, wide variety of biomes, wide variation in precipitation. • Tropical - from 300 to 00 (equator), temperature stays above 180C, little variation, seasonally very heavy rainfall, no winter. • Polar – (Arctic Zone) from 900 to 600, no summer, temperature below freezing, little precipitation.

  8. Climate Change • Three natural factors affect climate change: • Continental Drift – movement of continents on crust changed positions relative to oceans, other landmasses, and equator. • Changes in solar energy output – Sun has not always put out a constant amount of energy. • Variations of Earth’s position relative to the Sun – the tilt of the Earth’s axis, it’s speed of rotation, wobble, and average distance from the Sun change over time.

  9. El Nino and La Nina • El Nino occurs when warm water is blown over the cold water of Peru. The current changes the temperature of air masses moving across western/southern/eastern US. (colder, wetter, winters are predicted for the southeast). • La Nina occurs when cold water is forced over warmer western currents, changing the temperature and humidity of air masses above the current. It creates weather patterns that are the reverse of the El Nino.

  10. Human Affect • Deforestation/Desertification – removal of forest and ground cover can alter rainfall and wind patterns. Example: Brazilian rainforest, Ethiopian grasslands. • Pollution – causes chemical and/or physical changes to the atmosphere. Example: smokestack emissions – NOX, SOX, hot air, steam, and dust. • Global Warming – increasing average worldwide temperature by particulate (soot, smoke) and gaseous (CO2) emissions.

  11. Human Affect • Ozone layer damage – release of chemically active molecules into the atmosphere that break down protective Ozone (03) layer • Examples: • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – aerosols, spray cans • Methane – wood decay, also termites, and cows • Airliners – partially burned fuel reacts with atmospheric gases, breaks down Ozone

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