Climate/Factors that Affect Climate

climate change

A significant change in the Earth's climate. The Earth is currently getting warmer because people are adding heat-trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The term "global warming" refers to warmer temperatures, while "climate change" refers to the broader set of changes that go along with warmer temperatures, including changes in weather patterns, the oceans, ice and snow, and ecosystems around the world

Vegetation

Affects both temperature and precipitation in an area. Influences how much energy is absorbed/released affecting temperature. During transpiration, plants release water into the air, affecting precipitation.

global warming

An increase in temperature near the surface of the Earth. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural causes. However, the term is most often used to refer to recent and ongoing warming caused by people's activities. Global warming leads to a bigger set of changes referred to as global climate change.

Polar Zones

Cold year round

Latitude

Distance N or S of the equator As latitude increases, the intensity of solar energy decreases Near the equator the sun strikes the Earth at nearly right angles! Closer to the poles the angle is smaller.

Factors that Affect Climate

Every location on Earth has a distinct climate based on the varied nature of Earth's surface: Latitude Elevation Topography Bodies of Water Global Winds Vegetation

Atmospheric Conditions

Global winds influence climate because they distribute heat and moisture around the Earth. Warm air towards poles Cold air towards equator

Elevation above sea level

Height above sea-level Colder climates are found at higher elevations

Temperate Zones

Hot summers/cold winters

Water Bodies

Lakes and oceans have an important effect on temperature. Temperature of the water influences the temperature of the air above it. Places downwind of a large body of water have cooler summers and milder winters than places inland.

climate

The average weather conditions in a particular location or region at a particular time of the year. Climate is usually measure over a period of 30 years or more. Includes things like: Temperature air pressure Humidity Precipitation Sunshine/Cloudiness Winds

weather

The condition of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. Some familiar characteristics of the weather include wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation. Weather can change from hour to hour, day to day, and season to season.

Topography

Topographic features like mountains play an important role in the amount of precipitation that falls in an area.

Tropical Zones

Warm year round