Eviro. Unit 8 Lesson 4: Climate
How does the sun affect climate?
All weather starts with radiation from the sun entering earth's atmosphere.
Drought can occur in __________as moisture is directed away from it by changing wind patterns.
Australia
How is climate different than weather?
Climate is measured over a much longer period of time than weather.
El Niño usually cause a decrease in tropical storms and hurricanes in the __________
Gulf of Mexico
How does ice affect climate?
Ice reflects sunlight due to its high albedo or reflection coefficient. This has an overall cooling effect on global climate.
__________may see an increase in precipitation, storms, and flooding.
Japan
How does greenhouse gases affect climate?
Some gases in the atmosphere trap heat. The more greenhouse gases there are, the hotter it gets.
How does latitude effect climate?
The closer an area is to the equator, the warmer it is, and the farther it is from the equator, the colder it becomes.
How does topography affect climate?
The higher the altitude, the cooler the temperature becomes. Mountain ranges also influence wind patterns and precipitation.
How does ocean affect climate?
The ocean stores heat, moves heat through currents, and stores carbon dioxide, keeping things from getting too warm.
How does vegetation affect climate?
Trees and vegetation keep temperatures lower by taking in carbon dioxide and transpiring water into the atmosphere.
How do volcanoes affect climate?
Volcanic particles can block out some of the sunlight that reaches the surface of the earth, having a cooling affect.
El Niño
a change in air pressure, wind patterns, ocean currents, and ocean temperature
thermocline circulation
a pattern of movement where less-salty water moves at the top of the ocean's surface and cold, salty water moves at the depths of the ocean
The __________ generally see reduced amounts of snowfall.
central United States
The __________will experience warmer temperatures.
northern United States
The __________will receive more rain.
southern United States
What is climate?
the average atmospheric conditions over a long period of time
What is weather?
the average atmospheric conditions over a short period of time
