Utah’s Land Regions, Climates and Water

Utah’s Land Regions, Climates and Water

Utah’s Three Major Landforms:

Utah’s Three Major Landforms:

1. Basins: Wide bowl-shaped areas2. Plateaus: High, wide, flat areas3. Mountains

1. Basins: Wide bowl-shaped areas2. Plateaus: High, wide, flat areas3. Mountains

The Great Basin RegionThe Great Basin Region

•America’s western desert region. •Large flat bow, with small mountains•No connection to the ocean•Formation of Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake•Location of most of Utah’s cities and towns.

•America’s western desert region. •Large flat bow, with small mountains•No connection to the ocean•Formation of Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake•Location of most of Utah’s cities and towns.

The Middle Rocky Mountain Region

The Middle Rocky Mountain Region

• Uinta and Wasatch Mountain Ranges•Many forests and home to many wild animals--many parks. •Best snowboarding and skiing in the world•Most important source of water and natural resources.

• Uinta and Wasatch Mountain Ranges•Many forests and home to many wild animals--many parks. •Best snowboarding and skiing in the world•Most important source of water and natural resources.

The Colorado Plateau Region

The Colorado Plateau Region

•Covers much of Utah•Very dry, little rain•Over millions of years, wind and rain have carved wonderful formations in the soft sedimentary rock.•All 5 of Utah’s national parks are in this region.

•Covers much of Utah•Very dry, little rain•Over millions of years, wind and rain have carved wonderful formations in the soft sedimentary rock.•All 5 of Utah’s national parks are in this region.

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QuickTime™ and a decompressor

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Question: What was the weather like when you

woke up this morning?

Question: What was the weather like when you

woke up this morning?

What is the difference between weather and

climate?

What is the difference between weather and

climate? Weather: condition of the atmosphere at a certain time.

Climate: the long-term seasonal pattern of heat and cold, wet and dry conditions.

Weather: condition of the atmosphere at a certain time.

Climate: the long-term seasonal pattern of heat and cold, wet and dry conditions.

Climate is Referring to 5 Conditions:

Climate is Referring to 5 Conditions:

1. Temperature2. Wind3. Sunshine4. Humidity5. Precipitation

1. Temperature2. Wind3. Sunshine4. Humidity5. Precipitation

What affects Utah’s climate?

What affects Utah’s climate?

1. Our latitude2. Our elevation (how high we are

above sea level)3. Our distance from the ocean

1. Our latitude2. Our elevation (how high we are

above sea level)3. Our distance from the ocean

Where Does the Rain Fall? Where Does the Rain Fall?

• Wind or clouds come from the Pacific Ocean and meet the mountains

• Ranges in California and Nevada meet the clouds and rain falls

• Rain drops on the western mountain faces• The rest of the clouds continue on.

• Wind or clouds come from the Pacific Ocean and meet the mountains

• Ranges in California and Nevada meet the clouds and rain falls

• Rain drops on the western mountain faces• The rest of the clouds continue on.