This document discusses the key elements that determine climate: solar radiation, temperature, air masses, air pressure, ocean currents, topography, humidity, and precipitation. Solar radiation is the most important element, as it heats the Earth's surface and drives evaporation. Temperature varies based on the Earth's rotation and revolution and influences other weather aspects. Air masses form over land and sea surfaces and can stretch for thousands of miles. Air pressure is caused by the weight of air in the atmosphere. Ocean currents transfer heat globally. Topography and soil type impact rainfall and temperature. Humidity levels affect physical comfort and weather patterns. Precipitation occurs through condensation and comes in forms like rain, snow, or hail.
2. WHAT IS CLIMATE??
โขThe average state of weather over a
lengthy period of time is referred to as
climate.
โขClimate does not fluctuate frequently.
โขClimate is dependent on larger areas
such as the state or national territory.
โขWeather records collected over a long
period of time is used to forecast
climate.
3. ELEMENTS OF CLIMATE
โขSOLAR RADIATION
โขTEMPERATURE
โขAIR MASSES
โขAIR PRESSURE
โขOCEAN CURRENTS
โขTOPOGRAPHY
โขHUMIDITY
โขPRECIPITATION
4. SOLAR RADIATION
๏ฑSolar radiation is probably the most important element of
climate.
๏ฑSolar radiation first and foremost heats the Earth's surface
which in turn determines the temperature of the air above.
๏ฑThe receipt of solar radiation drives evaporation, so long as
there is water available.
๏ฑHeating of the air determines its stability, which affects cloud
development and precipitation.
๏ฑUnequal heating of the Earth's surface creates pressure
gradients that result in wind.
5. TEMPERATURE
โขTemperature is the degree of hotness or coolness of the
atmosphere on a scale of one to ten.
โขTemperature varies throughout the day due to the Earth's
rotation and during the annual seasons due to the Earth's
translational motion around the sun.
โขIt's usually expressed in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
โขA thermometer is a device that is used to measure
temperature.
โขAs temperature influences other aspects of the weather, it is
a critical factor in determining the weather.
6. AIR MASSES
โขAir mass can be defined as a large air volume with
uniform temperature and moisture.
โข These masses can stretch thousands of miles
horizontally over the Earthโs surface, and vertically from
ground level to the stratosphere (10 miles) into the
atmosphere.
โขAn air mass is formed whenever an atmosphere gets in
touch with a large, relatively stable land or sea surface
for long enough periods to receive the temperature and
moisture of that surface.
โขAir masses are commonly classified concerning the
latitudes, and their continent or maritime source
regions.
7. AIR PRESSURE
โขThe pressure formed by the weight of air in the Earth's
atmosphere is known as air pressure. It's also known
as barometric pressure, named after the device that measures
air pressure.
โขAir has weight, even if it isn't apparent, because it isn't empty.
โขIt's filled with nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and a
few more gases in microscopic particles.
โขDue to the gravitational force of the Earth, the weight of the
particles in the air causes pressure.
โขBecause there is more air above the air near the ground, air
pressure is higher.
8. OCEAN CURRENTS
โขOcean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional
movement of seawater driven by gravity, wind (Coriolis
Effect), and water density.
โขOcean water moves in two directions: horizontally and
vertically.
โข Horizontal movements are referred to as currents, while
vertical changes are called upwellings or downwellings.
โข This abiotic system is responsible for the transfer of heat,
variations in biodiversity, and Earthโs climate system.
9. TOPOGRAPHY
โขThe topography is a major factor in climate, especially
when it comes to rainfall.
โข The higher the altitude, the more water vapour can be
stored and the less likely it will be for the rain to fall.
โขSoil type also has an effect on how high temperatures
can reach during the day.
โขDry soil heats up faster than wet soil would, causing
temperatures to rise quickly and maintain that heat for
longer periods of time.
10. HUMIDITY
โขHumidity is another weather element that cannot be seen
but can be felt.
โขIt not only plays a big part in weather formation but also
directly influence our physical comfort levels.
โขHumidity is the amount of water vapor that is present in the
atmosphere at any specific time.
โขWater vapor is nothing more than water in a state of gas
(after the liquid has evaporated).
โขAlthough humidity and its effects can usually be felt, it is
normally invisible to the naked eye.
โขHumidity can be challenging to understand and interpret
correctly.
โขThe hygrometer is the instrument used to measure wind
speed.
11. PRECIPITATION
โขPrecipitation is water in all its different states, which is
formed after condensation turned water vapor into its
solid form, which falls to the ground after it becomes too
heavy to stay suspended in the air.
โขPrecipitation can take the form of rain, snow, hail, or
graupel.
โขPrecipitation is primarily the result of evaporation and
condensation.
โขInstrument for Measuring Rainfall :A rain gauge is the
instrument used to measure rainfall. It is essentially a
measured container that captures rain and measures the
amount that falls over a set period of time.