Describing Climate
What is Climate?
The average weather conditions in an area over a long period
How much of the energy that enters Earth's system eventually goes back into space?
Most of it
Identify 3 factors that influence climate.
winds, currents, bodies of water, latitude, landforms, elevation
Humid Tropical, Dry, Humid subtropical, Humid continential, Polar, Highland
How could you use a climate graph showing temp. and precipitation to infer if precipitation will be rain or snow?
If the temp. is below freezing, it will likely be snow.
What do climate descriptions usually include?
Temperature and precipitation
Why does climate depend on latitude?
Because it determines the amount of sunlight the area receives
How does latitude affect climate?
The intensity of the sunlight is greater at the equator than at the poles, so the temperature is higher at the equator than at the poles.
What regional climate zone would North Platte Nebraska be in?
Where does sunlight reach Earth directly?
Where does sunlight reach Earth the most indirectly?
Equator; Poles
True or false...
Climate can include description of seasons.
True
Why does some of Earth receive sunlight more directly?
Because Earth's surface is curved.
As elevation increases what happens to air temperature?
It decreases
What factors are considered when looking at what makes up regional climate zones?
landforms, elevation, and ocean currents.
What color shirt would you want to wear if it was sunny out and why?
Light because it reflects more sunlight so stays cool.
Name two things that climate graphs can do for us.
1. Compare climates with other places
2. Predict climate
Define Albedo
describes how much sunlight a surface reflects.
Use the information provided in your book to tell why two cities in the same state - 145 miles apart - would have very different climates.
Because Flagstaff has a much higher elevation causing it to be colder and experience different climate conditions.
What are the major climate regions for the Taklamakan Desert and Singapore?
Taklamakan Desert - Dry Singapore - Humid tropical
Use your book to describe the climate of Africa.
The arctic hares of Ellesmere Island, Canada, thrive in the polar climate of the area with its long, cold winters and brief, cool summers.
Explain the albedo effect of an area generally covered in snow.
The snow (higher albedo) begins to melt and soil (lower albedo) is exposed - absorbs more sunlight = warms up area - causes more to melt.
Describe how landforms effect climate. Provide an example.
Rain shadow effect
Explain why a continent can have some parts experiencing all of the major climate zones.
Due to areas experiencing the elements of climate differently. Farther inland, higher up, latitude etc...
Why are climates at low pressure belts generally more rainy?
warm, moist air rises and cools, and water vapor condenses to form clouds and rain.