Chapter 13: Global Climate By the end of this chapter you should: By the end of this chapter you...
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Transcript of Chapter 13: Global Climate By the end of this chapter you should: By the end of this chapter you...
Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Global ClimateGlobal Climate
By the end of this chapter youBy the end of this chapter youshould:should:
Understand the controls of climateUnderstand the controls of climate
Have an understanding of the Köppen system Have an understanding of the Köppen system
Global TemperaturesGlobal Temperatures
Controls on climate:Controls on climate:- intensity of sunshine and its variation - intensity of sunshine and its variation with latitudewith latitude
- distribution of land and water- distribution of land and water- ocean currents- ocean currents- prevailing winds- prevailing winds
- location of high and low pressure areas- location of high and low pressure areas- mountain barriers- mountain barriers- altitude- altitude
Fig. 13-1, p. 355
Global TemperaturesGlobal Temperatures ““Bending” of isotherms near the continentsBending” of isotherms near the continents
Isotherms are west to east (solar radiation)Isotherms are west to east (solar radiation) Coldest temperatures over the interior of Coldest temperatures over the interior of continents, warmest in subtropical desertscontinents, warmest in subtropical deserts
Global PrecipitationGlobal Precipitation Where air is rising, expect rain. Sinking air, expect a dry Where air is rising, expect rain. Sinking air, expect a dry
climateclimateITCZ produces a tremendous amount of rainITCZ produces a tremendous amount of rain
Influence of orographic uplift and rain shadowsInfluence of orographic uplift and rain shadows
Fig. 13-2, p. 356
Climatic Classification - Climatic Classification - the Köppen Systemthe Köppen System
Tropical moist climates - average temp. Always above Tropical moist climates - average temp. Always above 64°F. Basically no winter64°F. Basically no winter
Dry climates – Evaporation and transpiration greater Dry climates – Evaporation and transpiration greater than precipitationthan precipitation Moist mid-latitude climates with mild winters – warm-to-hot Moist mid-latitude climates with mild winters – warm-to-hot summers, mild winters. Ave. temps. coldest month between summers, mild winters. Ave. temps. coldest month between 64°F and 27°F64°F and 27°F Moist mid-latitude climates with severe winters – warm Moist mid-latitude climates with severe winters – warm summers and cold winters. Ave. temps warmest month summers and cold winters. Ave. temps warmest month between 50°F and 27°Fbetween 50°F and 27°F Polar climates – Extremely cold winters and summers. Ave Polar climates – Extremely cold winters and summers. Ave temp between 50°F in warmest month. No summer.temp between 50°F in warmest month. No summer.
Climatic Classification - Climatic Classification - the Köppen Systemthe Köppen System
Criticized because:Criticized because: Boundaries do not relate to natural boundaries in Boundaries do not relate to natural boundaries in
climatic zonesclimatic zones System implies sharp changes. In reality, they are System implies sharp changes. In reality, they are
more subtlemore subtle
Fig. 13-6, p. 361
The Global Pattern of The Global Pattern of ClimateClimate
Tropical Moist Climates Tropical Moist Climates (Group A)(Group A)
Tropical wet (Af)Tropical wet (Af) Warm all seasonsWarm all seasons Lots of rainLots of rain N and S of equatorN and S of equatorto 15° to 25°to 15° to 25° Rainfall greaterRainfall greaterthan 59 in.than 59 in.
Tropical Moist Climates Tropical Moist Climates (Group A)(Group A)
Tropical Moist Climates Tropical Moist Climates (Group A)(Group A)
Tropical monsoon (Am)Tropical monsoon (Am) Precip drops below 6 cm for one or two monthsPrecip drops below 6 cm for one or two months Annual precipitation amounts are similar to AfAnnual precipitation amounts are similar to Af
Tropical Moist Climates Tropical Moist Climates (Group A)(Group A)
Tropical wet and dry (Aw)Tropical wet and dry (Aw) Distinct dry seasonDistinct dry season Jungle can not surviveJungle can not survive
Savanna grassSavanna grass
Dry Climates (Group B)Dry Climates (Group B) Arid (Bw)Arid (Bw)
Deficient precipitationDeficient precipitation Sonoran and Mojave deserts (Rain shadow)Sonoran and Mojave deserts (Rain shadow)
Dry Climates (Group B)Dry Climates (Group B) Semiarid (BS)Semiarid (BS)
Transition between aridTransition between arid
and more humid climatesand more humid climates
Moist Subtropical Mid-Moist Subtropical Mid-latitude Climates (Group latitude Climates (Group
C)C) Humid subtropical (CfA)Humid subtropical (CfA)
Humid and mild wintersHumid and mild winters Eastern and westernEastern and westernregions of most continentsregions of most continents
Hot, muggy summersHot, muggy summers Mild wintersMild winters
Snowfall is rareSnowfall is rare
Moist Subtropical Mid-Moist Subtropical Mid-latitude Climates (Group latitude Climates (Group
C)C) Marine (CfB)Marine (CfB) Summers are coolSummers are cool Long summersLong summers
Mountains thatMountains thatparallel coast haveparallel coast haveeffecteffect
Clouds and drizzleClouds and drizzle
Moist Subtropical Mid-Moist Subtropical Mid-latitude Climates (Group latitude Climates (Group
C)C) Mediterranean (Cs)Mediterranean (Cs)
Dry summers, influenced by the subtropical highsDry summers, influenced by the subtropical highs
Moist Continental Moist Continental Climates (Group D)Climates (Group D)
Warm to cool summers, cold wintersWarm to cool summers, cold winters Winters are severe (cold, snowstorms)Winters are severe (cold, snowstorms) Controlled by large landmasses (N.H.)Controlled by large landmasses (N.H.) Coldest month average below 27°FColdest month average below 27°F Can still have treesCan still have trees
Moist Continental Moist Continental Climates (Group D)Climates (Group D)
Humid continental with hot summers (Dfa) Latitude 40°N to 50°N Precipitation between 20 and 40 in. Hot summers (exceed 90°F)
Moist Continental Moist Continental Climates (Group D)Climates (Group D)
Humid continental with cool summers (Dfb)Humid continental with cool summers (Dfb)
Cooler and less Cooler and less humid than Dfahumid than Dfa
Hot spells shorterHot spells shorter Winters long, cold Winters long, cold
windywindy Large temperature Large temperature
range like Dfarange like Dfa
Moist Continental Moist Continental Climates (Group D)Climates (Group D)
Subpolar (Dfc) Severe winters, short summersSevere winters, short summers Only 1 month w/ mean temp > 50°FOnly 1 month w/ mean temp > 50°F Large temperature rangesLarge temperature ranges Precipitation is lightPrecipitation is light Boreal climateBoreal climate
Polar Climates (Group E)Polar Climates (Group E) Always low temperatures One type has at least one month above freezing…one
doesn’t
Polar Climates (Group E)Polar Climates (Group E) Polar tundra (ET)Polar tundra (ET)
Always low temperatures (warmest month < 50°FAlways low temperatures (warmest month < 50°F Permafrost is abundant/Low precipitation amountsPermafrost is abundant/Low precipitation amounts Tundra vegetation (mosses, scattered wooded areasTundra vegetation (mosses, scattered wooded areas Large temperature rangesLarge temperature ranges
Polar Climates (Group E)Polar Climates (Group E)
Polar ice caps (EF)Polar ice caps (EF) Average temp always Average temp always
below freezingbelow freezing No plantsNo plants Covered in snow and Covered in snow and
iceice Little precipitationLittle precipitation Katabatic winds Katabatic winds
presentpresent
Highland Climates Highland Climates (Group H)(Group H)
Altitude effects are similar to latitude effectsAltitude effects are similar to latitude effects