Think of a place on Earth where you would like to live or visit someday.

Write a description of the climate at this location and list the various factors that might influence the climate there.

Climatogram

Philadelphia

New York, NYSan Francisco, CALas Vegas, NVDenver, CORichmond, VAAnchorage, AKSeattle, WAMiami, FLSt. Louis, MOHonolulu, HIHazleton, PA (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)

www.worldclimate.comwww.climate-zone.com

Weather vs. Climate

The state of the atmosphere at a

particular place at a particular moment

The long-term prevailing weather

conditions at a particular place based

upon records taken

What Factors Determine Climate?LatitudeAtmospheric CirculationOceanic CirculationTopographyOther Influences

Seasonal Changes in Climate

What Factors Determine Climate?#1-4 TABLE 1: Latitude#5-9 TABLE 2: Atmospheric Circulation#10-13 TABLE 3: Oceanic Circulation#14-18 TABLE 4: Topography#19-23 TABLE 5: Other Influences#24-27 TABLE 6: Seasonal Changes in

Climate

What Factors Determine Climate?#1-5 TABLE 1: Latitude#6-10 TABLE 2: Atmospheric Circulation#11-15 TABLE 3: Oceanic Circulation#16-20 TABLE 4: Topography#21-24 TABLE 5: Other Influences#25-29 TABLE 6: Seasonal Changes in

Climate

LatitudeDistance from the equatormeasured in degrees north or south of

the equatormost important factor in determining climate

influences climate because the amount of solar energy an area receives depends on its latitude

more solar energy falls on areas near the equator than those near the poles

Latitude

Atmospheric Circulation3 important properties:

Cold air sinks because it is denser than warm air. As it sinks, it compresses & warms.

Warm air rises. It expands & cools as it rises.

Warm air can hold more water vapor than cold air can. As it cools, the water vapor may condense to form rain, snow or fog.

Atmospheric CirculationThe movement of air within the

atmosphere windBecause the Earth rotates, and because

different latitudes receive different amounts of solar energy, a patter of global atmospheric circulation results.

This circulation pattern determines Earth’s precipitation patterns.

Atmospheric Circulation

Oceanic Circulation PatternsOcean currents have a great effect on

climate because water holds large amounts of heat.

Movement caused by winds & the rotation of the Earth

Redistribute warm & cool masses of water around the world & affect the climate

TopographyTemperatures fall by about 6oC (about

11oF) for every 1,000m increase in elevation

Mountains and mountain ranges also influence the distribution of precipitation

Rain shadow:warm air hits mountains, rises, cools,

and causes rain on the western side of the mountain

By the time the air reaches the eastern side of the mountain, it is dry

Topography

Other Influences on Earth’s ClimateSun

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation warms the stratosphere, then the lower atmosphere & even the surface of the Earth

VolcanoesSulfur dioxide gas can reach the upper

atmosphereReacts with water vapor & dust. Forms a bright layer of haze that reflects

enough sunlight to cause the global temperature to decrease

Seasonal Changes in ClimateSeasons result from the tilt of the Earth’s axis