Climographs Climographs Climographs Roles of Temperature and Precipitation on Climate Roles of Temperature and Precipitation on Climate : Altitude (Elevation) Proximity to large bodies of water Ocean Currents How 'close' something is to you direct More solar radiation at equatorial regions = more At higher latitudes, the same amount of solar radiation is spread out over a area (less ) = less heating concentrated heating larger 1
three Earth is divided into temperature latitude zones based on Tropical (Torrid) zone Between S and N direct sunlight all year round = warm climate 23.5 0 23.5 0 Tropical Zone 23.5 0 N (no winter) 23.5 0 S Polar zone: Between and (both N & S) Sunlight at angles = er 66.5 0 90 0 lower temperatures 2
Polar Zone 90 0 N (no 'summer') 66.5 0 N Temperate zone: Tropical Polar Between and 23.5 0 66.5 0 zones ( to N & S) Polar Zone 66.5 0 S 90 0 S (no 'summer') Temperate zone: Tropical Polar Between and 23.5 0 66.5 0 zones ( to N & S) Add to notes: This zone has the GREATEST temperature ranges Temperate zone: Tropical Polar Between and 23.5 0 66.5 0 zones ( to N & S) Add to notes: This zone has the GREATEST temperature ranges --- Why? Earth's Tilt Temperate zone (continued): In the, the sunlight strikes this zone more = temperatures summer directly warmer winter The opposite is true in the Temperate Zone Temperate Zone 66.5 0 N (4 seasons) 23.5 0 N 23.5 0 S (4 seasons) 66.5 0 S 3
What latitude? 3 degrees 30 degrees 60 degrees What latitude? 3 degrees Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa 6 km high (~ 20,000 feet) What latitude? 3 degrees Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa Altitude ( Elevation ) 0 6.5 C (or) 3.5 F for every Temperature drops 0 1 km (or) feet gain in. altitude 1,000 With an elevation of 20,000 feet, temperatures at the top of Kilimanjaro drop: ~ 400 C (or) ~700 F!!!! ESRT (Page 1) Distance (Proximity) from Large Bodies of Water moderate Large bodies of water greatly less ) extreme the (make nearby land areas. temperatures on 4
Distance from Large Bodies of Water Winds blowing over a nearby large body of water keep coastal areas from extremes reaching temperature experienced Distance from Large Bodies of Water Coastal areas are identified as having marine climate warm (relatively winters and summers) by inland locations. Distance from Large Bodies of Water Centers of continents (central US, Canada, Russia) inland are too far to receive the benefits of moderated temperatures and are identified as continental climates having cold hot ( winters and summers) Ocean Currents warm Warm currents lend to a, climate. dry wet Cold currents lend to a, climate. http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/lutgens3/medialib/abcontrol/pages/question.html Roles of Temperature and Precipitation on Climate : Prevailing winds Proximity of mountains Prevailing Winds Directional winds that flow in a region. air Move from place to place. air can be wet masses masses dry or (humid) usually 5
Prevailing Winds Warm air carries moisture than air. As warm air rises, it will and which results in precipitation. more condense Prevailing Winds Cool air is more and sinks dense As it, it will warm slightly more and will be able to hold dry drier water. This results in regions (arid) ( deserts ) where air is sinking. ESRT (Page 14) Prevailing Winds Amount of water in the air also depends on originated where the air mass. inland Winds blowing from more oceans carry water than winds blowing from over land. Proximity of Mountains Moist winds blowing inland from the ocean and a mountain range will up hitting be forced into the air to condense and. This will result in precipitation. Proximity of Mountains Therefore, tends to fall on the side of the mountains. precipitation WINDWARD oncoming (side the wind hits) 6
Proximity of Mountains By the time the air reaches the other side, lost it has most of its, moisture dry so it is now and. Proximity of Mountains LEEWARD rain Land on the side of the mountain (downwind side) is in the. orographic shadow This is known as the effect. er, humid Warmer, drier Microclimates Smaller areas that are affected by the factors same as large climate regions. Inland mountains, lakes, forests, and other natural or manmade features can influence the climate of a nearby location resulting in a microclimate. Feb 10 7:57 AM 7
Microclimates Microclimates Examples: Downtown areas with tall buildings Windy urban peninsulas jutting out into the ocean Central Small parks (i.e., Park in NYC) 8