Introduction to Climate

cold currents bring what

-cool, dry climates -stable atmosphere -suppressed evaporation -deserts, arid regions

global annual temperature ranges

-largest annual temp range occurs at high latitudes within the continental interiors of north america and asia -marine effect dominates in the southern hemisphere due to the lack of large land masses, thus the SH experiences smaller annual temp ranges than the NH

warm currents bring

-warm, moist climate -less stable atm -enhanced evaporation -rain forests, temperature climate

latitude

affects the intensity of incoming solar radiation (angle of insolation) and the duration of insolation exposure (day length) -most important control of seasonal temperature variation -higher latitudes --> greater seasonal differences in solar intensity and day length --> larger annual temperature range

elevation

compared to low-elevations, higher elevations experience: -lower average air temp (air temp decreases w height in troposphere) -a thinner atmosphere (causes surfaces to gain and lose energy more quickly, recall that air density decreases with height) -greater nighttime cooling -larger daily temperature range (i.e. difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures)

climograph

displays the seasonal cycle of 30-year average temperature and precipitation for a location -red lines: monthly average temp -green bars: monthly average precipitation

climate is what we ___, weather is what we ____

expect; get

the continental effect

inland locations experience more extreme temperatures because land heats up and cools down more rapidly than water

climatic controls

latitude, elevation, land/water heating differences,geographic position and prevailing winds, mountains, ocean currents,

ocean currents

ocean currents influence the climate of adjacent coastal regions -sea surface temperatures influence air temperature as the ocean exchanges heat with the overlying atmosphere -warm and cold currents have different effects on climate

mountains

orographic effect -air rises over mountains and cools, producing clouds and precipitation -dry air warms as it descends, promoting evaporation and suppressing clouds/precipitation -windward side (rainy, moist climate) -leeward side (hot, dry, desert climate)

land/water heating differences

physical differences between land (rock/soil) and water (oceans, seas, lakes) cause land surfaces to heat up and cool down faster than water surfaces -related to evaporation, transparency, specific heat, movement

weather forecasting

short term weather forecasts based on computer models -incorporate air pressure, temp, humidity, and winds to produce the best estimate of current and future atmospheric conditions -typically reliable for up to a week

during what season does proximity to a cold current have the greatest effect on LA's temp

summer due to proximity to a cold current moderates summer temp and keeps LA cooler than Phoenix

monthly precipitation

the amount of precipitation received during a given month (in or cm)

monthly mean temperature

the average mean temperature for a particular month

daily mean temperatures

the average of temperature measurements taken over a 24 hour day

annual temperature range

the difference between the highest and lowest monthly temperatures for a given year

geostrophic position and prevailing winds

the influence of the ocean on moderating a location's climate depends on its geographical position and the prevailing winds

climate

the long-term average (over decades) of weather conditions for a given region -statistical weather info over a 30 year period -the normal weather, as well as the range of weather extremes for a location

the marine effect

the moderating effect of the ocean or other large body of water on temperatures patterns of coastal regions

weather

the short-term, day to day conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place and time -snapshot of atmospheric conditions -combo of temperature, humidity, air pressure, winds, cloudiness, precipitation, etc.

climatology

the study of climate -long term averages, variability, extremes, and changes

meterology

the study of weather -short term weather forecasts -study physical characteristics and motions as well as related chemical, physical and geologic processes

warm currents have a more pronounced effect in ____ because of the contrast with cooler land temp

winter