2. Weather factors Heat energy- a form of energy transferred by differences in temp. Moisture-wet and mushy Air pressure- the measure of the force with which air molecules push on a surface. Winds-air moving from an area of high to low pressure
3. Weather prediction Weather prediction- to state what is going to happen in the atmosphere in the future. Can predict: Thunderstorm : cumulonimbus Rain Fronts : cold, warm, or stationary cold : thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow Warm : drizzly rain followed by clear and warm weather
4. Stationary : brings cloudy, wet weather. Air masses : Maritime: forms over water, wet. Continental: forms over land, dry. Polar : forms over polar regions, cold. Tropical: forms over tropics, warm. mP, mT, cT, cP
5. climate Climate : The average weather condition in an area over a long period. Latitude: the distance north or south from the equator and is in degrees. Latitude effects sunlight Earth is tilted 23.5 degrees Elevation-the height of an object above sea level.
6. As elevation increases the ability of air to transfer energy from the ground to the atmosphere decreases As elevation increases, temp. decreases. Surface currents Surface currents- A horizontal movement of water that is caused by wind and that occurs at or near the ocean surface. When surface currents move they carry warm or cooled water to different locations.
7. The surface temp. of the water affects the temp. of the air above it. warm currents heat the surrounding air above it and then cause warm temp. Cool currents cool the surrounding air and cause cooler temps. Mountains can affect temp. and precipitation. The mountain blocks the prevailing wind and affects the climate on the other side.
8. The zones of climate Temperate- 23.5 degrees to 66.5 degrees south Tropical- 0 to 23.5 degrees south Polar-66.5 to 90 degrees south
