Exit Ticket: Coriolis Effect 1. How does the Coriolis Effect influence the path of projectiles or wind traveling through the atmosphere? Causes them to curve 2. In which direction does the Coriolis Effect curve the wind in the Northern Hemisphere? Southern? N. Hem to the right S. Hem to the left 3. Complete the diagrams by drawing curved arrows to represent the path of the wind from high to low pressure: HIGH LOW HIGH LOW LOW HIGH LOW HIGH Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere Northern Hemisphere
Climate is defined as: The average weather conditions of a region or the weather patterns that occur over many years.
Climate Determined by temperature and amount of precipitation. Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get
Prediction What are some factors that affect climate?
Why do the following locations have different climates? Brazil, South America Russia
1. Latitude Uneven heating from equator to poles
Latitude Low latitudes have a higher angle of the sun s rays
Higher latitudes have a lower angle of the sun s rays
Latitude Latitude relative to convection cells in our troposphere affects precipitation. Dry at 30 N & S Moist at equator
Why do the following locations in France have different climates? Tignes, France
2. Elevation/Altitude As you go up in the Troposphere (bottom layer of the atmosphere) temperature decreases. Therefore, the higher the elevation of the land, the colder it is, generally.
Elevation/Altitude Generally, temperature averages 3.5º F colder for every 1000 feet of elevation
Why do the following locations at similar latitudes and elevation in the U.S. have different climates? Portland Minneapolis
3. Distance from Large Bodies of Water Oceans hold their heat longer creating mild coastal climates ex: Portland
Proximity to Water Because water heats and cools slowly, it has a low temperature range. Therefore land masses beside large bodies of water usually have mild climates. Large bodies of water add water vapor to the air, so precipitation is more likely downwind of water Ever heard of lake effect snow?
Why do the following coastal locations at similar latitudes have different climates? Newfoundland Scilly Isles
4. Ocean Currents Warm-water currents warm coastal climates Ex Labrador Current and Natashquan Cold-water currents cool coastal climates. Ex London and Gulf Stream
Why is Las Vegas in the middle of a desert?
5. Topography (proximity to mountains) Windward side of Mountains cool, wet Leeward side of Mountains windward leeward warm, dry
Proximity to Mountains Mountains can force air to rise because they are in the way! Rising and sinking air by mountains = adiabatic process On the windward side of the mountain, air is forced to rise. As it rises, it cools. As it cools, it loses its ability to hold water, and precipitation occurs on the windward side. As the air travels to the leeward side, it no longer contains moisture, the air is arid, or dry. This is why there are deserts on the east side of our Rocky Mountains
6. Prevailing Winds Warm rising air causes wet climates Cool sinking air causes dry climates
Sinking air = DRY (90) Rising air = WET (60) Cool sinking air = DRY (30) Horse Latitudes Warm rising air = WET (0) Doldrums Cool sinking air = DRY (30) Horse Latitudes Rising air = WET (60) Sinking air = DRY( 90)
Prevailing Winds Global Wind Patterns cause there to be a predominant wind direction in some areas. This influences the type of weather that approaches you. Prevailing Westerlies cause weather patterns to move from west to east across the United States.
(elevation) (windward vs. leeward)
Climate Change
El Nino (impact on global climate for 1-2 yrs) Dry conditions in the western Pacific (Australia & Indonesia) Heavy rainfall in South America (Peru) & Southern U.S. Mild winter temps in Northern U.S.
Volcanic Eruption (1-100s of yrs depending on size of eruption) Volcanic dust & sulfur dioxide blocks solar energy
Meteor Impact (similar to volcanic eruptions)
Global Warming (human impact on atmosphere, could be 100s of yrs)
Ice Ages (1000s of yrs)
Ice Age (from ocean current conveyor belt )
Continental Drift (millions of yrs)