Europe

Ch.10, Section 2Climate

Today’s Main Ideas• Wind patterns and water currents shape Europe's

climate.• Europe has eight climate zones, each with

different vegetation.

Think about this…• Look at the World Map on page RA 4 and RA 5 at

the beginning of your book.• Which is farther north….

– Europe or the United States?• Which has the colder climate, overall?

– Europe or the United States• How can this be explained?

Wind and Water• North Atlantic Current

– ocean current– Carries warm waters from the Gulf of Mexico toward Europe

• Westerlies– Prevailing winds– Blow from west to east– Pass over the warm Atlantic water– Bring more warmth to Europe

• How else do wind and water affect Europe’s climate? (Look at the map on page 283)

• video

Climate Zones• 3 main climate zones

– Marine West Coast– Humid Continental– Mediterranean

• Other climate zones in Europe– Subarctic– Tundra– Highland– Steppe– Humid Subtropical

Marine West Coast• Northwestern and Central Europe (see map page

284)• Mild temps

– N. Atlantic current– Long growing seasons– How do temperatures vary across this area?

• Abundant precipitation• Vegetation =

– Forests – What are the two different kinds of forests?

• Deciduous and Coniferous

– What is the difference and where is each found?

Humid Continental• Eastern and Northern Europe (see map p. 284)• Cooler climate than Marine West Coast

– Why?• Less Precipitation

– Why?• Vegetation =

– Mixed Forests• Deciduous and coniferous

Mediterranean • Southern Europe (see p. 284)• Hot, Dry Summers• Mild, Wet Winters• Minstral =

– Cold, dry, northern wind in France• Mountains block cold northern winds in …

– Spain and Italy• Siroccos

– Hot, dry winds from Africa– Pick up moisture and cause humidity

Mediterranean (Cont.)• Vegetation =

– Low shrubs– Grasses– Olive trees– Grape vines– Very few forests

• Why is the vegetation like this?– Low rainfall

• Why do northern and southern Spain have dramatically different climates and vegetations? (Look at map on p. 285)

Other Zones• Subarctic

– Far north– COLD– Coniferous (Evergreen) trees

• Tundra– Farther North (near north pole)– COLDER– No trees– Very little vegetation

Other Zones (cont.)• Highland (mountains)

– Alps and Carpathian Mnts.– Cool-Cold Climate– Climate varies based on

• Wind direction• Orientation to the sun• Altitude• How do these things affect the climate?

– Sturdy trees grow below the timberline• Steppe = dry treeless grasslands (S. Ukraine)• Humid Subtropical = hot wet summers, mild wet

winters (thin sliver of land north of Adriatic Sea)

North Atlantic Current

Mediterranean

Marine West Coast

Steppe

Humid Continental

Humid Subtropical

SubarcticTundraHighland