Post on 20-Nov-2014
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Weather and Climate
Weather- refers to atmospheric conditions at a specific moment It’s hot today, it’s going to rain tomorrow, etc.
Climate- typical atmospheric conditions in an area over a long period of time It’s hot in the summers, it usually snows in the
winter
Weather vs. Climate
Temperature- the amount of heat in the atmosphere
We can measure temperature with a thermometer
Atmospheric conditions
Precipitation-water that falls from the sky as rain, snow, or hail
We can measure precipitation with a pluviometer, or rain gauge
Atmospheric Conditions
Wind- the movement of air in the atmosphere Direction- weather
vane Speed- anemometer
Atmospheric Conditions
Anemometer Weather Vane
Atmospheric Pressure- caused by the weight of the air in the atmosphere
We can measure this pressure with a barometer
When there is more air, the pressure increases and the weather is usually fair and stable.
Atmospheric Conditions
Barometer
What does an anemometer measure? Wind Speed What instrument can I use to measure precipitation? Rain Gauge or pluviometer What instrument can I use to find out the wind direction? Weather vane What instrument can I use to measure temperature? Thermometer What instrument do I use to measure pressure? Barometer
Quiz
Factors that influence climate
Latitude Climate zones that are
near the Equator are usually warm
The polar zones have lower temperatures because the Sun doesn’t shine directly on these zones
Factors that influence climate
Indirect light all year long
Coolest temperatures
Winters long, cold, and dark
Summers short, warm
Low precipitation
Frigid Zone
Indirect Light Middle Latitude 4 season Precipitation may
be plentiful, may be dry
Temperate Zone
Direct Light Near the equator Temperatures high
all year long Rain is plentiful or it
is very dry
Torrid zone or The Tropics
Distance from bodies of water Water takes longer to heat up than land, and
it also takes longer to cool down again
Factors that Influence Climate
Altitude Places at higher altitudes are usually colder
than places at lower altitudes At higher altitudes, climate is often wetter
Clouds can’t hold a lot of water when it’s cold, so water falls to the ground as precipitation
Factors that Influence Climate
Latitude Distance from Bodies of water Altitude
Factors that influence climate