Science geology climate regions

summer is cool: 35 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. WInters are harshly cold. Very little precipitation--almost like a desert

.Describe the weather in the tundra.

Why is the summer warm and dry in the Mediterranean climate?

Because cold ocean currents keep the climate mild and dry

Why is the winter mild and wet in the Mediterranean climate?

Because the currents of the ocean shift as winter approaches; through the summer, the water is warmed, so warmer water moves in during winter, keeps the land warm (mild temperatures) and brings rain.

(the first climate type we're discussing) marine climate

Climate in the mid-latitude continents (between 30 degrees and 60 degrees North and South). This is midway between the tropics and the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. Includes Pacific coast of North America, much of Europe, parts of South America, Africa, and Australia.

There are four seasons: a warm and humid summer, a cool and dry autumn / fall; a cold and harsh winter; a warm and wet spring. The temperatures vary greatly--it can be 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, and below zero in winter. The farther north (in latitude, farther north from the equator), the longer and colder the winter is and the shorter the summer.

Describe the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere in the humid continental climate

The tropical savannah has two seasons, the summer wet season, and the dry season. The average temperature is warm, but not as warm as the wet tropical climate. It receives a lot of rain, but not as much rain as the tropical wet climate.

Describe the seasons in the tropical savannah climate. What is the temperature like? How much rainfall is there?

They have long, hot summers and a short mild winters.

Describe the two seasons in the humid subtropical climate.

Vegetation includes evergreens (like palm trees) and shrubs. It is also a good area for forming since it gets direct sunlight and has a lot of rain.

Describe vegetation and opportunities for farming in the humid subtropical climate.

cool; warmer; consistent

Other factors that affect climate include bodies of water and mountains. Cold ocean currents _____________ the land; warm ocean currents bring _________________ temperatures. Temperatures of areas close to land are more _____________________ than temperatures of areas away from the land.

hotter and drier; produces an effect called "rain shadow". There can even be a desert on one side, and not on the other.

The climate on the leeward side of the mountain is _____________ and ______________ than on the windward side.

leeward

The side of the mountain that doesn't face the wind

precipitation

There is rising air in a mountain range. The rising air cools, and lets moisture go. Therefore, on the windward side of the mountain (the side facing the wind), there is a lot of ____________________.

(This is the eighth climate we're discussing) humid subtropical climate

This climate is found between 20 degrees and 40 degrees latitude north and south on the east coasts of continents--for example, Florida.

(The sixth climate region we're discussion) Humid Continental climate

This climate is found in regions between the 40 degree and 60 degree latitudes of the Equator, in the inland continents. This means they have less direct sunlight and less warmth. The Northern Hemisphere region with this climate tends to be humid. In the Southern Hemisphere in these latitudes--between 40 and 60 degrees south of the equator--there are no land masses.

(seventh climate we're discussing) tropical

This climate is located within 15 to 20 degrees of the equator. There are two types.

tropical savannah climate

This climate is one of two tropical and humid subtropical climates. It is found in Africa, Central America, South America, and North America. It is a little bit farther from the equator than the tropical wet climate, a little cooler (68 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than 80 degrees Fahrenheit). It receives a lot of rain, but less rain than the tropical wet climate.

tropical wet climate

This climate is one of two types of subtropical climates located within 15-20 degrees of the equator. It has very little temperature variation--it is always around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a LOT of precipitation. Most of it falls in thunderstorms.

(9th climate region we're discussing) subarctic region

This region includes the North and South poles, with long, extremely cold winters, and a short warm, not hot, summer. Found between 50 and 70 degrees latitude and inland--usually in Northern Hemisphere (so, close to North pole). Temperatures vary from 85 degrees fahrenheit (unusual) in summer to -40 degrees Fahrenheit in winter. Very little rainfall. Snow covers the area all winter. Evergreens like pine and spruce can live here. Forests in the subarctic are called the taiga.

(the second climate type we're discussing) Mediterranean Climate

Usually found between 30 degrees and 40 degrees latitude, on the western side of a continent, for example in south California, south Australia.

Summer can be very hot -- over 100 degree Fahrenheit. In winter, however, there are no trees to block wind, and so it can be very, very, very cold. It rains more than it would in a desert, but less than it would in the grasslands or prairies.

What are the seasons like in a region with a steppe climate?

60-100 inches of rain, usually falling in thunderstorms. Vegetation is tropical; this climate can support a tropical rainforest.

What is precipitation like in the tropical wet climate? What is vegetation like?

Two seasons, mild climate, only a long summer and a mild winter. Only a few places get snow (e.g., Madrid,Spain). Summers are warm, hot, and dry. Winters are mild to cool, and wet.

What is the Mediterranean climate like--how many seasons are there, and what are those seasons like?

The humid continental climate experiences precipitation all year long. The moisture evaporates from the land, causing a regular fall of precipitation through the four seasons.

What kind of precipitation is there in the humid continental climate?

The vegetation tend to be small plants with extensive root systems that can soak up what water exists. Short grasses are very typical.

What kind of vegetation exists in a region with a steppe climate?

savannah (grasses) and shrubs

What kind of vegetation grows in the savannah tropical climate?

algae, moss, lichen.

What kind of vegetation grows in the tundra?

There are both deciduous trees and coniferous trees. This climate is also good for farming.

What kind of vegetation is found in the humid continental climate?

evergreens (conifers); also deciduous trees (only a few, like oaks); fruit trees and vines thrive--grapes, figs, olives, citrus; shrubs, grasses, and herbs also do well in the Mediterranean climate

What sorts of plants grow in the Mediterranean Climate?

the cold water currents for dry air over the land

Why are most desert areas found within 30 degrees north and south (latitude) of the Equator?

Because they are in the rain shadow of a mountain. Cool air is forced up the mountain, which causes precipitation on one side of the mountain; on the other side, it is very dry and is sometimes a desert.

Why are some desert areas inland?

Temperatures; arid or dry

__________________ can vary across deserts, but deserts are ALWAYS _________________.

affects climate: tilt of the Earth

affects a region's temperature, and growing season

Temperatures range from 45 degrees fahrenheit to 80 degrees fahrenheit; lots of humidity and rainfall

describe the weather in the humid subtropical climate

climate and soil type

determines the vegetation of an area

coniferous tree

fir tree, has cones, does not lose leaves in summer (so, the soil in a coniferous forest tends to be less fertile than the soil in a deciduous forest.)

deciduous tree

has leaves that fall in fall/winter, makes the ground very fertile.

2 seasons; damp winters and cool summers; ocean winds bring in coolness and dampness. Range of temp is fairly small--rarely drops below 30 degrees F, even in winter, summer average a is 72 degrees fahrenheit. Receive a fair amount of rain, but they vary. Marine Climate in U.S. is really a temperate rain forest, receiving a LOT of rain because of the mountains in the U.S. You'll see both coniferous trees and deciduous trees in the marine climate.

how many seasons does the marine climate have? Describe those 2 seasons.

Plateau

landform that is elevated but flat

bushes, grasses, cacti, camels, snakes, scorpions

living things that can survive in a desert climate.

permafrost

permanently frozen ground in the tundra

photosynthesis

process responsible for putting oxygen in the air. Also keeps the planet's climate steady over time, by balancing temperature and moisture changes through transpiration..

landforms, climate, vegetation, availability of water, soil quality, minerals in the area, natural harbor, or mountain nearby (timber) Also, accessibility of another location Economic reasons: production of raw material, trade, etc. Also--naturally protected areas

reasons for location of cities

10th climate region we're discussing) tundra climate

seasons of dark, freezing winters--but not quite as cold as subarctic--and short, warm summers. These climates exist between 60 and 75 degrees latitude, usually along the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Tundra has a harsh winter, and cool summer.

pattern of settlement

the arrangement in which a settlement is spread (i.e., where they settle)

transpiration

the evaporation of water into the atmosphere from the leaves and stems of plants.

(the fifth climate type we're discussing) steppe climate

these climate regions often border the desert climate--they are sort of the "leeward" side of a mountain. They are dry, although not as dry as a desert.

(the fourth climate type we're discussing) desert climate

this climate covers about one-third of the planet. Most areas are found about 30 degrees latitude north and south of the equator. Other such areas are inland.

(the third climate type we're discussing) highland climate

this is the climate for land that is high.

tundra

this word means "barren, treeless land"

marine climate; mediterranean climate; highland climate; desert climate; steppe climate (called semi-arid); humid continental climate; tropical wet; tropical wet/dry (or tropical savannah); humid subtropical; subarctic; trundra; ice cap

types of climates

carbon dioxide

used by plants during photosynthesis, slightly balancing the amount of greenhouse gas in atmosphere that comes from burning fossil fuels

climate

weather conditions in an area over an extended period of time

cooler than at lower land areas; no seasons in these areas, just gets cooler as you go higher up the mountain range. Can be seen on single mount or high elevated plateaus. As elevation goes up, every 1,000 feet, the temperature drops 3 degrees fahrenheit. Highly elevated areas could have precipitation, because mountains make warm air rise, where it cools and forms precipitation.

what is the climate like in the highland area?