Chapter Three NotesChapter Three NotesClimateClimate

EnvironmentEnvironmentResourcesResources

What is the difference between What is the difference between weather and climate?weather and climate?

• Weather – the short-term changes in Weather – the short-term changes in the air for a given place and time.the air for a given place and time.

• Climate – The region’s average Climate – The region’s average weather conditions over a long weather conditions over a long period.period.

Sun and LocationSun and Location• Different locations receive different Different locations receive different

amounts of sunlight.amounts of sunlight.– The more sunlight a place receives, the The more sunlight a place receives, the

warmer it will be.warmer it will be.

Earth’s shapeEarth’s shape• The Earth is wider in the middle because The Earth is wider in the middle because

it is a sphere (a circular shape)it is a sphere (a circular shape)– For this reason, the lower latitudes (areas For this reason, the lower latitudes (areas

close to the equator) get more sun.close to the equator) get more sun.•The lower latitudes are warm year round.The lower latitudes are warm year round.

– The areas near the poles (higher latitudes) The areas near the poles (higher latitudes) get less sun.get less sun.•They are cool year roundThey are cool year round

Wind and waterWind and water• Wind and water are constantly on the Wind and water are constantly on the

move and can change temperatures move and can change temperatures as they move.as they move.– Prevailing winds are winds that blow in Prevailing winds are winds that blow in

the same direction over large areas of the same direction over large areas of Earth.Earth.

– Current Wind MapCurrent Wind Map•http://hint.fm/wind/http://hint.fm/wind/

Air and weightAir and weight and wind and wind• Even though you can’t feel it, air has Even though you can’t feel it, air has

weight.weight.– Cool air is heavy. Warm air is lighter.Cool air is heavy. Warm air is lighter.– When air gets warmer, it gets lighter When air gets warmer, it gets lighter

and rises. Cooler air moves in to take its and rises. Cooler air moves in to take its place. This creates wind.place. This creates wind.

Wind VideoWind Video• http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=uBqohRu2RRkv=uBqohRu2RRk

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents• Large streams of surface seawaterLarge streams of surface seawater

Large bodies of waterLarge bodies of water• Water heats and cools more slowly Water heats and cools more slowly

than land does.than land does.• This creates areas with a milder This creates areas with a milder

climate.climate.– Milder climates do not get very hot or Milder climates do not get very hot or

very cold.very cold.

Wind, Water StormsWind, Water Storms• An air mass is a large body of air.An air mass is a large body of air.• Most storms occur when two air Most storms occur when two air

masses of different temperature or masses of different temperature or moisture content collide.moisture content collide.– This is called a front.This is called a front.

FrontsFronts• Can produce Can produce

– Rain.Rain.– Snow.Snow.– Thunderstorms.Thunderstorms.– Blizzards.Blizzards.– Tornados – small, rapidly twisting funnel Tornados – small, rapidly twisting funnel

of air that touches the groundof air that touches the ground