Climate zones
What is climate?
The usual weather patterns of a place over a long period of time
What is weather?
The conditions outside at a particular time, such as temperature, rain, or wind
What is the tropical zone like?
Warm or hot throughout the year.
What are temperate zones like?
They often have moderate temperatures and seasonal changes.
Which zone is extremely cold?
The polar zone.
What causes climate zones?
Its location, especially latitude, elevation, or distance from the ocean.
What is one example of weather?
It is raining today, it is windy, or the temperature is 80°F.
Where are tropical zones found?
Around the equator
What are the four seasons?
Spring, summer, fall (autumn), and winter.
What is a desert climate like?
Very dry, with little precipitation.
What are the three major climate zones?
Tropical, temperate, and polar.
How is climate different from weather?
Weather describes short-term conditions; climate describes long-term patterns.
Why do tropical zones stay warm?
They receive relatively direct sunlight throughout the year
What kind of plants grow in temperate zones?
Oak trees, maple trees, grasses, or other plants suited to the local climate.
What is one characteristic of the polar climate?
Very cold temperatures, long winters, and limited plant growth.
How does latitude affect climate?
Places near the equator usually receive more direct sunlight and are warmer; places near the poles receive less direct sunlight and are colder.
Why might someone living in a cold climate wear different clothes than someone living in a hot climate?
People choose clothing to stay comfortable and protect themselves from their local temperatures
What is a rainforest climate like?
Warm temperatures and abundant rainfall.
Why do temperate zones have seasons?
Earth’s tilted axis changes the angle and length of sunlight during the year.
What is the difference between a desert climate and a polar climate?
A desert is defined by very low precipitation and can be hot or cold; a polar climate is defined by very cold conditions.
How do oceans affect climate?
Oceans can make temperatures milder and add moisture to the air.
How can climate affect daily life?
It can affect the clothes people wear, the homes they build, the crops they grow, or the activities they do.
Why do tropical rainforests get lots of rain?
Warm temperatures cause water to evaporate, and moist air rises, cools, and forms clouds and rain.
How does climate affect farming?
Temperature, rainfall, and the length of the growing season determine which crops can grow successfully.
Why do polar regions receive less direct sunlight than places near the equator?
Because Earth is curved and tilted, it receives less sunlight