Weather and Climate. Weather- the condition of the bottom layer of the earth’s atmosphere in one...
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Transcript of Weather and Climate. Weather- the condition of the bottom layer of the earth’s atmosphere in one...
CHAPTER 2 SECTION 1Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate
Weather- the condition of the bottom layer of the earth’s atmosphere in one place over a short period of time- descriptions of weather include: temperature, moisture/precipitation, wind- example: cold, snowy, windy- almost in constant state of change- may influence other areas/regions
Weather and Climate
Climate- weather patterns that an area typically experiences over a long period of time- factors of climate: elevation, latitude, location to landforms/water
The Sun and the Earth
The Sun- the ultimate source of the earth’s climate and of life on earth
The Sun and the Earth
The Greenhouse Effect- solar radiation
- small amount reaches earth’s atmosphere
- some reflected back to space- some remains to warm earth’s land
and water*atmosphere prevents heat from escaping back into space too quickly
The Sun and the Earth
Rotation - rotation- the spinning motion of the earth as it travels through space
- axis- invisible line through the center of the earth from pole to pole (23 ½ tilt)
- one rotation completed in 24hrs.
- Earth spins from west to east
The Sun and the Earth
Revolution- orbit- the earth moves around the sun in a nearly circular path- revolution- one complete orbit around the sun
- one revolution completed every 365 ¼ days- length of a year
- Tropic of Cancer (23 ½ N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23 ½ S) receive the most direct sunlight
The Sun and the Earth
Solstices- June 21 and December 21- the days when the sun appears directly overhead at the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer
Equinoxes- March 21 and September 23- the lengths of day and night are nearly equal everywhere on the earth
The Sun and the Earthpage 65
Latitude and Climate- The sun’s rays always fall most directly at or near the Equator- the rays grow less direct as they fall closer to the poles
Tropical Zones Temperate Zones Polar Zones
Other Influences on Climate
Nearby Bodies of Water- large bodies of water affect the surrounding climates- winds that blow over water take on the water’s temperature- milder climates
Elevation
Nearby Landforms
World Climate Regionspage 72
Climate Regions- tropical- dry- moderate- continental- polar/highlands
Changing Climatespage 73
Global warming