UNIT 3 MODULE 2
CLIMATE
Weather - is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time Climate is the overall atmospheric condition of a place for a period of 30 years or more. Climate is influenced by latitude, altitude, distance from bodies of water, ocean currents, and topography.
Key Concepts Latitude
As the latitude increases, the smaller the angle the sun’s rays strike the surface. The closer the place is to the equator, the warmer the climate; the farther the place is from the equator the colder the climate.
Altitudes
The air temperature decreases as the altitude increases. Places with higher elevations have cold climates For every 1000m, there is a drop of 6.5⁰C The decrease in air temperature is due to the decrease in air pressure The higher the place above sea level the colder it will be. This happens because as altitude increases, air becomes thinner and is less able to absorb and retain heat.
Distance from Ocean The soil absorbs heat faster than water. At the same time, the soil releases heat faster compared to water. During daytime, the air above the sea is colder than the air above the land. The warm air flows from land to sea. Thus, the rise of temperature on land would be moderate. During night time, warm air would flow from sea to land, making the temperature on land higher. Bodies of water help regulate the climate of a certain area. Topography (Mountain Ranges) Mountain ranges affect the formation of precipitation. Most wind coming from the sea flow up the mountain. Because temperature falls with altitude, water vapor eventually condenses and there and there is precipitation. Since this is the side of the mountain facing the wind, it is called windward side. Formation of the clouds in the windward side of the mountain is caused by the condensation of water vapor. Since precipitation occurred on the windward side, the wind often loses its moisture content by the time it reaches its peak. The wind flowing down the other side, called the leeward side, is dry. Since it barely rains on the side, the mountain is said to form a rain shadow on the leeward side. Without rain to cool it down, this side of the mountain also has higher temperature.
Greenhouse effect Green house gases absorb heat, preventing them from flowing out of the earth. Naturally, greenhouse gases play an important role in keeping the earth warm. The earth would be very cold if there were no greenhouse gases that absorb heat. Global temperature increase when the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2) 50%, Methane (CH4) 18%, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 14%, nitrous oxide (N2O) 6%, ozone (O3) 12%. Greenhouse effect happens when there is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Ocean Current Ocean currents will either cool or warm the air above them. Cold currents bring cold water while warm currents take along warm water. Coriolis Effect deflects the ocean currents. Ocean current affects the temperature of the nearby land mass. Warm currents move from the equator towards poles carry warm water. On the other hand, cold currents travel from the poles towards the equator carry cold water. El Niño and La Niña El Niño is an abnormal and lengthy warming in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. This natural phenomenon occurs at irregular intervals of two to seven years and last for nine months or two years at most. Usually, it starts at the end of the year or during Christmas season that is why; it is termed as El Niño which means “Christ child”. La Niña opposite climatic disturbance to El Niño. It may last for nine to twelve months but in some cases, it lasts for two years. This event is triggered by the cooling of the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. That‘s why, it is sometimes called cold Pacific. Glossary
Altitude - the height above sea level. Climate - the overall condition of an area over a long period of time. Climate change - a long term shifting of global weather pattern Condensation - change of the physical state of matter from gas phase into liquid phase, and is the reverse of evaporation. El Niño - brought about by the current of the ocean bringing warm air to a landmass in the Pacific region. Fauna – composed of living animals. Flora - composed of different plant vegetation. Greenhouse effect - the increase of global temperature due to some atmospheric gases. Greenhouse gas (GHG) a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. Gyre - the circular patterns formed by surface currents. Latitude - an imaginary line that is parallel to the equator. Leeward - the side of the mountain that receives less amount of precipitation. Longitude - an imaginary line that extends from north pole to south pole.
Mitigation – a manner of modifying something to become useful. Precipitation - product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity, include drizzle, rain, sleet, snow, graupel and hail. Topography - the surface features of an area. Temperature - refers to the hotness or coldness of an object. Windward - the side of the mountain that receives most of the precipitation.
