2. Climate
Climate: Is the average weather
measured over a long period of time.
For example: Lethbridge and Nanaimo
get the same amount of sun and the
same temperatures, but over a whole
year, their weather varies in
different patterns. The two cities have
different climates.
3. Water’s Effect on Climate
• Large bodies of water, like the oceans and great lakes, influence the
weather and climate in their regions.
• This is because water has a higher heat capacity than air (it takes
more energy to raise waters temperature than it does air)
• Water can hold onto heat much longer than air.
4. Water’s Effect on Climate
• During the day the sun heats the water
• It takes a long time to raise the temperature of the water just a few
degrees
5. Water’s Effect on Climate
• At night, the air cools quickly, but the water doesn't.
• Over the night, the water slowly releases the heat, keeping
surrounding areas warm
6. Water’s Effect on Climate
• This applies to summer and winter
too!
• Over the summer, bodies of water
heat up several degrees and this
heat is slowly released during
the colder months. This process
keeps surrounding areas warm.
7. Water’s Effect on Climate
• Water in the air also keeps Southern Alberta warm:
• Chinooks occur from forcing wet air to lose water over the
mountains.
8. Water’s Effect on Climate
• Water in the air also keeps Southern Alberta warm:
• Chinooks occur from forcing wet air to lose water over the
mountains.
9. Currents
• Ocean currents are another way that water can effect climate.
• Currents are different than waves. Here water is moving side to side,
like a stream within the ocean.
• Depending on where the current starts (North pole vs. equator) it
carries a certain temperature with it.
10. Currents
• Current: Moving water. Water
moves side to side and
depending on where it starts
each current has a different
temperature.
• There can be strong or weak
currents and warm or cold
currrents
