Climate and Weather - Geo

(Elevation/Altitude) Why does temperature decrease as you gain altitude?

Because of lapse rate. Lapse rate is an equation - the temperature of dry air decreases by 1 degree for every 100 m in altitude. Air expands as it rises from the Earth's surface. As it expands, there is more space for the molecules to move around - so their energy is transferred. This results in the cooling of air.

(Air Masses) What is the difference between high and low pressure systems?

High pressure systems have few clouds (the air is moving down.) Low pressure systems have more clouds (air is moving upwards).

(Ocean Currents) What does the temperature of an ocean current effect?

It affects the temperature of the air that passes over the current.

What are the 6 factors that affect climate? What is their acronym?

LOANER: Latitude, ocean currents, air masses and winds, nearness to water, elevation/altitude, and relief landforms.

(Nearness to Water) What are Maritime and Continental climates?

Maritime climates are located near a body of water and experience mild temperature range, and large amounts of precipitation. Continental climates are far from a body of water, and experience larger temperature range and small amounts of precipitation.

(Air Masses) What is Maritime moisture? What is Continental moisture?

Maritime moisture is wet and is formed over water. Continental moisture is dry and formed over land.

(Air Masses) What are the names of the 5 air masses that influence climate and weather in Canada?

Maritime polar, continental polar, maritime tropical, continental tropical, and continental arctic.

(Relief) How does relief affect precipitation?

Mountains can act like a barrier, where the windward side would get a lot of precipitation and the leeward side would get little rain.

What 2 factors is heat affected by?

1: Atmosphere. The Earth's atmosphere absorbs 15% of the sun's radiation. 2: Albedo. Albedo is the amount of solar radiation reflected back towards the sun. Light, smooth, and shiny surfaces have high albedo (eg a building covered in windows). Dark, dull, and rough surfaces, such as pavement have low albedo.

What angle is the Earth constantly tilted at?

23.5 degrees.

(Relief) What is relief precipitation?

As warm, moist air from the sea condenses as it rises up the windward side of the mountain, it causes rain from the expansion and cooling of the air. The leeward, or rain shadow side of the mountain will receive very little rain as dry air comes back down the leeward side. This is due to evaporation from compression and warming of the air.

(Latitude) Why is a location cooler the farther you get from the equator?

As you move farther away from the equator toward the North and South poles, temperature becomes cooler. This is because the earth's curvature causes the sun's energy to be spread out over larger areas towards the poles. (More spread out)

(Latitude) When does Canada get the warmest temperatures? Why?

Summer. By June 21st the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, which means that the heat energy from the sun has the shortest distance to travel to reach us.

(Nearness to Water) What is the moderating effect on climate?

Bodies of water are a source of moisture - winds can carry moisture over nearby land. In the summer, bodies of water stay cooler than the nearby land. When winds blow over the surface of the water, the nearby land is cooled. In the winter, the water stays warmer than the nearby land. When wind blows over the water, the nearby land is warmed.

Define climate

Climate is the weather pattern in a particular region over a long period of time.

(Ocean Currents) Ocean waters travel in paths called ________. Some are ____ and others are ____.

Ocean waters travel in paths called currents. Some are warm and others are cold.

(Ocean Currents) On Canada's ____ coast, the coast of _______ ________ is affected by the warm North Pacific _____ current. What does this result in?

On Canada's west coast, the coast of British Columbia is affected by the warm North Pacific Drift current. This results in a very maritime climate with lots of precipitation and moderating temperatures.

(Relief) What does relief refer to?

Physical features such as mountain range.

(Air Masses) Where are tropical, polar, and arctic air masses formed?

Polar air masses are generally formed in the north, tropical in the south, and arctic in the far north.

(Air Masses) What are prevailing winds? What are these winds called and what do they do?

Prevailing winds are well-established patterns of winds blowing from west to east over Canada. They are called westerlies, and they move air masses (affecting our weather).

(Elevation/Altitude) What happens to temperature as you go up in elevation?

Temperature decreases as you go up in elevation. The farther up the air is from the ground, the cooler it is.

(Ocean Currents) What current does the Gulf Stream current meet, and where do they meet? What does this meeting result in?

The Gulf stream current meets the cool Labrador current in Atlantic Canada. This results in more precipitation and fog than average throughout the year.

(Latitude) What is the general rule for latitude?

The farther away from the equator you are, the less energy that is reaching the ground at any given time. Therefore, polar regions are much colder than tropical or equatorial regions.

(Air Masses) What is the jet stream? How fast and how high does it flow?

The jet stream is the west to east movement of air in the mid-latitudes. It flows at speeds up to 400 km/h and at an altitude of 8,000 to 15,000 m.

(Ocean Currents) What is the Moderating Effect?

The moderating effect is the effect large bodies of water have on climate of nearby land. Winds that blow over the water keep coasts cooler in summer, moderating the temperature as to not let it become extremely hot or cold.

(Ocean Currents) The warm ____ ______ current flows _________ from the Gulf of Mexico along the Atlantic coast. This helps bring ____, _____ summers and _____ ____ winters to that region.

The warm Gulf Stream current flows northward from the Gulf of Mexico along the Atlantic coast. This helps bring cool, humid summers and short, cool winters to that region.

(Ocean Currents) Warm ocean currents _____ the temperature of nearby land, while cold ocean currents _____ the temperature.

Warm ocean currents raise the temperature of nearby land, while cold ocean currents lower the temperature.

Define weather

Weather is the combination of temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, and wind that we experience each day.