Climate and Vegetation

1. Climate and Vegetation Chapter 2 Sections 2 and 3

2. Weather vs. Climate Weather refers to the daily changes in the air. Climate is the usual pattern of weather over a period of time. What Effects Climate? 2. The wind moves cold and warm air to different places. Changes in wind sometimes creates storms which also effects climates. Wind is also effected by landforms. 1. The sun determines climate.It hits directly at the Equator and makes the poles colder.

3. 3. Ocean Currents carry warm or cool water through the oceans. That effects the temperatures of the land. 4. Peopleeffect climates by creating cities. Cities are hotter because pavement and buildings absorb more sun. People also use fuel which causes temperatures to rise

4. The 5 Major Climate Groups • Tropical • Mid-Latitude • High-Latitude • Dry • Highland

5. 1. Tropical Climates • Tropical Rainforests have 80-100 inches of rain each year. It has lots of plants and trees. • Tropical Savanna’s have rain a few months during the year. Other times it is hot and dry. 2. High Latitude Climates • Sub Arctic Climate has bitter winters, but temperatures rise above freezing in the summer. • The top few inches of the ground thaw in the summer on the Tundra. • Ice Cap Climates are bitterly cold. Average temperature is -128˚!

6. 3. Mid-Latitude Climates • Marine West Coast Climates have rainy, mild winters and cool summers. • Mediterranean Climates have mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. • Humid Continental Climates have snowy winters with short, hot summers. • Humid Subtropical Climates have rainfall all year but it’s heaviest in the summer. Winters are short and mild.

7. 4. Dry Climates • Desert Climate receives less than 10 inches of rain per year. • Steppe Climate receives 10 to 20 inches of rain per year 5. Highland Climates have mountains with cool temperatures year round.