Climate

What is climate?

• Long term weather pattern.

• Determined by– Latitude– Precipitation

ClassificationTropical -Between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn

TropicalWet: •Warm Temperatures•Large amounts of rain year-round

Savannah•20-30 degrees N & S of Equator•Wet and Dry seasons

Mid Latitude

MidLatitude

• Mediterranean– Western edge of

continent– Mild wet winters– Warm dry summers– S. California, S. Africa,

Mediterranean area

MidLatitude

• Humid Subtropical– Eastern side of continent– Wet summers– Shorter growing season

than Med. climate

MidLatitude

• Marine West Coast– Western edge of

continent– Wind off water

moderates temperature– Mild summers– Cool winters– Northwestern US,

western Europe

Severe MidLatitude

• Humid Continental– Eastern side of continent– Short summers– Long, cold winters– Eastern North America,

central Europe, Asia

Severe MidLatitude

• Sub-Arctic– long, cold, dark, winter – Short, cool summer– 7 months below freezing– Ice from September to

May

Polar Climate

• Tundra– 1 month above freezing– Near Arctic Circle, North

America and Asia

Polar Climate

• Ice Cap– 9% of earth’s surface– Warmest month

averages below 0– Very little precipitation –

less than 5 inches per year

Any Latitude• Dry Climates– Desert• Less than 10 inches

precipitation per year• Can be cold or hot

– Semi arid• Edges of deserts• Grasses, but not

enough rain for trees

Highland or Mountain

• 30 cooler for every 1000 feet up

Snow on north face of mountains above 12,000 ft, Colorado, July, 2009

Factors that Control the Climate

• Latitude–Determines

intensity of sunlight

• Low=warm• Mid=temperate• High=polar/cold

Factors that Control the Climate• Continentality– Large landmasses affect climate– Far from water, more severe hot and cold

(Omaha)– Near water, moderate climate (Houston, London)

Omaha, Nebraska's large temperature range reflects its continental location.

Located near the ocean, London experiences mild temperatures and ample precipitation throughout the year.

Factors that Control the Climate

• Elevation– Higher is colder

Factors that Control the Climate

• Mountain Barriers– Blocks precipitation and wind– Create rainshadows

Factors that Control the Climate• Ocean currents– Air off ocean can be warm or cold, depending on

current– Moderates temperature (west coast marine)

Hurricanes

– Hurricanes• Begin in warm tropical waters• Move heat/energy toward poles• Clockwise in Northern hemisphere• Camille strongest to hit US

Types of Precipitation

• Convectional– Hot air rises– Its temperature drops– Now the air is cold, and it sinks– Circulating air masses can

produce hail

Types of Precipitation• Orographic– Windward side

of mountain receives rain• Cold air drops

moisture

– Leeward side is dry• rainshadow

Types of Precipitation

• Cyclonic or Frontal– Moving air masses collide• Air mass = air with same temperature and humidity

Climate