Weather vs. Climate
What is weather?
Weather describes the actual conditions of the atmosphere on a certain day.
What is a heat sink?
A material that absorbs thermal energy without warming much.
What happens to the sea level when polar ice melts?
Sea level rises.
What is the definition of a drought?
A long period with little precipitation, prolonged dry conditions, water shortage.
What is runoff?
Water from rain or snowmelt that does not soak into the ground, flows over land surface into streams, rivers, or drains.
Inland locations usually experience more __________ temperatures.
Extreme
Which heats faster: land or water?
Land.
Why do glaciers form only in certain regions?
Temperatures are consistently cold enough for snow to accumulate.
Flooding caused by melting snow is called…
A regional flood
Deforestation increases flooding because…
Less water is absorbed.
Why do coastal areas usually have milder climates?
Water absorbs heat slowly and releases it slowly.
Why is there often a breeze near lakes?
Warm air over land rises and cooler air from water moves in
Name one indicator of global warming.
Shrinking ice sheets, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, etc.
What is a flood plain?
Land beside a river that floods easily.
Name one human activity that reduces soil fertility.
Overfarming, deforestation, pollution, construction, overgrazing.
Why are fall temperatures warmer near large lakes?
Water released stored heat from the summer.
Large bodies of water act as heat sinks
Why does water moderate temperature better than land?
High heat capacity and mixing.
Name two processes that results in higher sea levels.
Melting ice, thermal expansion
Name one positive effect of a drought.
Allows new vegetation to grow after fires.
Why does compact soil hurt plant growth?
Roots can’t grow, less water, reduced nutrients.
What are two factors that influence climate in a region?
Latitude and distance from water.
How do oceans help regulate the Earth’s climate?
It absorbs heat and releases it slowly.
How does global warming affect coastal communities?
Flooding and erosion.
How do roads and parking lots increase flooding?
Water cannot soak into the ground, impermeable surfaces, increased runoff.
Why is access to freshwater uneven globally?
Geography, climate differences, economic access differences.