Weather, Climate, & Seasons
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layer of gases that surrounds the Earth composition: 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen
Troposphere Lowest layer of the atmosphere From sea level up to ~ 10 mi. Where weather occurs
Stratosphere From ~ 10-30 mi. out Where ozone layer is (filter for UV light)
Mesosphere Thermosphere
Weather - condition of the atmosphere at any one time. Ex. Rainy, hot, dry, cold, etc.
Climate – average weather conditions over a long period of time. Ex. Arid, temperate, tropical, etc.
Latitude zones (sunshine) Elevation Wind (direction and speed) Topographic barriers Ocean currents Precipitation Temperature Cloud coverage
Because of earth’s tilt, different areas receive different amounts of sun.
Low (Tropical)
Low (Tropical)
Mid (Temperate)
Mid (Temperate)
High (Polar)
High (Polar)
0˚ Equator
23.5˚S Tropic of Capricorn
23.5˚N Tropic of Cancer
66.5˚S Antarctic Circle
66.5˚N Arctic Circle
Tropical – hot and humid year-round, little seasonal changes, two seasons are wet & dry, little changes in daylight hours, average temps range between 72-90˚
Temperate – (moderate); has 4 distinct seasons each clearly marked by changes, temps are not extreme, but vary greatly by season, rainfall is moderate
Polar – characterized by extremely cold temps. in long winter seasons, very short summers with mild temps, during summer long hours of daylight, during winter very few hours of daylight
Refers to height at or above sea level
As you go up in elevation (mountains and high plateaus), the temperature drops
Known as vertical or highland climates
High elevation + high latitude = coldest climates
Low elevation + low latitude = warmest climates
Air movements caused by the sun heating Earth’s surface unevenly
Distribute heat and moisture around the world
Have global and seasonal patterns Ex. Monsoons
Movement of ocean water by forces such as wind and tides
Occur at the surface as well as deep under water; vary in temperature
Cause temperatures of nearby land to be more uniform and moderate
Seasonal change in the direction of prevailing winds, often bringing heavy rains. Affects mostly country of India, but also other SE Asian countries
Orographic (rain shadow) effect – the contrast in precipitation caused by a change in elevation, primarily due to mountains.
Windward side - gets the moisture, more abundant vegetation
Leeward side - faces away from the moisture and is dry, creates a rain shadow desert
Notable rain shadow deserts: Death Valley in California Eastern Costa Rica Hispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic) NW of Himalaya Mts.
Draw the following diagram in your notes.
Add: - cloud with precip.- vegetation- weather characteristics
Tropical storms that develop near the equator due to the very rapid evaporation of warm ocean waters Happen in the late summer months Winds of at least 74 mph Hurricanes in the Atlantic, typhoons in the
Pacific
Warm ocean current that starts in the Gulf of Mexico and travels along the east coast of the U.S.
Crosses North Atlantic Ocean and brings warm water to the British Isles & Norway, making them warmer than they normally would be
Also drives tropical storms and hurricanes to Gulf and east coasts of U.S.
ENSO – El Niño Southern Oscillation
A weather phenomenon in which rising temperatures of the Pacific Ocean brings heavier than usual rains to the Eastern Pacific
Causes extreme drought in the Western Pacific
Disrupts marine life as well
Normal Conditions
El Niño Conditions
Earth tilts at a 23.5˚ angle, perpendicular to the eclipticEcliptic – plane on which Earth orbits around the Sun
Rotation - one complete spin of the Earth on its axis - takes 24 hours.
Revolution - one complete orbit of earth around the sun - takes 365.25 days (leap year).
Spring, summer, autumn, winter caused by the tilt and revolution of the
Earth Duration of each season varies
according to latitude zones Seasons are opposite in the Northern
and Southern Hemispheres.
Are the first days of every season Solstice - longest or shortest day of the year
June 21 – summer solstice Dec. 22 – winter solstice
*for Northern Hem Equinox – equal day night
March 21 – Vernal equinox Sept. 22 – Autumnal equinox
*for Northern Hem Opposite for Southern Hemisphere
DATE_____ (solstice/equinox)
Northern Hemisphere Season
Southern Hemisphere Season
March 21
June 21
Sept. 22
Dec. 22
Draw this chart on your notes and fill it in.
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