S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects climate and weather.

1. Welcome!Welcome!
Jr. Meteorologist!Jr. Meteorologist!
Why do we need to study weather?Why do we need to study weather?
How would you like to attend an outdoor picnic inHow would you like to attend an outdoor picnic in
the rain?the rain?
Do you like to know when a severe storm is coming?Do you like to know when a severe storm is coming?
We get this information from television, radio,We get this information from television, radio,
newspapers, and weather radios.newspapers, and weather radios.
We receive this information from trained individualsWe receive this information from trained individuals
called meteorologists.called meteorologists.
A meteorologists is a scientist who studies theA meteorologists is a scientist who studies the
atmosphere and its changes in order to predict dailyatmosphere and its changes in order to predict daily
weather.weather.

2. Weather or Not Become a
Jr. Meteorologist!
You will research air, atmosphere, climate
and weather patterns. As, you explore
(read) take down the key information (see
underlined words) on your organizer then
be ready to be a Jr. meteorologist!

3. Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate
What is the weather like today?What is the weather like today?
Is it like this EVERY day? Why?
Or why not?
Prediction: What is the difference between
WEATHER and CLIMATE?

4. The Layers of theThe Layers of the AtmosphereAtmosphere
 The layers of the atmosphere are
defined by changes in temperature.
 For example, -sphere means “ball,”
which suggests that each layer of
the atmosphere surrounds the Earth
like a hollow ball. Tropo- means
“turning” or “change,” and the
troposphere is the layer where
gases turn and mix. Strato- means
“layer,” and the stratosphere is the
sphere where gases are layered
and do not mix very much. Meso-
means “middle,” and the
mesosphere is the middle layer.
Finally, thermo- means “heat,” and
the thermosphere is the sphere
where temperatures are highest.

5. Layer by LayerLayer by Layer
TheThe tropospheretroposphere isis
the first layer abovethe first layer above
the surface andthe surface and
contains half of thecontains half of the
Earth'sEarth's atmosphere.atmosphere.
WeatherWeather occurs inoccurs in
this layer.this layer.

6. The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere
BIG IDEABIG IDEA:: Earth’sEarth’s
atmosphereatmosphere is a mixtureis a mixture
ofof gasesgases that distributesthat distributes
heat and enables life toheat and enables life to
exist on Earth.exist on Earth.

7. What makes up DRY air in theWhat makes up DRY air in the
atmosphere?atmosphere?
– 78%78% nitrogennitrogen---used to make protein-used to make protein
– 21%21% oxygenoxygen (from photosynthesis)—(from photosynthesis)—
processes that use oxygen:processes that use oxygen:
 cellular respiration (plants and animals)cellular respiration (plants and animals)
 oxidation (like rust, tarnish)oxidation (like rust, tarnish)
 combustion*combustion*
----1%1% other gasesother gases (argon,(argon,
carbon dioxide, other)carbon dioxide, other)

8. What makes up air (atmosphere)?What makes up air (atmosphere)?

9. WeatherWeather
Weather is constantlyWeather is constantly
changing, and it refers tochanging, and it refers to
the state of thethe state of the
atmosphereatmosphere at a givenat a given
time and placetime and place


10. In other words…In other words…

In otherIn other words…what it’swords…what it’s
like OUTSIDE, rightlike OUTSIDE, right
HERE, right NOWHERE, right NOW

11. MeasureableMeasureable
properties of weatherproperties of weather
air temperatureair temperature
humidityhumidity
type and amount oftype and amount of
precipitationprecipitation
air pressureair pressure
speed and direction of windspeed and direction of wind

12. Climate –Climate – The long-termThe long-term
environmental conditions acrossenvironmental conditions across
a large area and long time.a large area and long time.
 Climate, however, is based on theClimate, however, is based on the
average, year-after-yearaverage, year-after-year
conditionsconditions of temperature,of temperature,
precipitation, winds, and clouds inprecipitation, winds, and clouds in
an area.an area.

13. Climate helps describeClimate helps describe
a place or regiona place or region

14. Reading Check:Reading Check:
What is the
difference between
WEATHER and
CLIMATE?

15. What affects weather and climate?What affects weather and climate?
 ThereThere are two major factors that affect theare two major factors that affect the
overall environment andoverall environment and climateclimate……
-The tilt of the Earth in relation to it’s
orbit around the Sun
- The direction of that tilt that
changes as the Earth travels around
the Sun

16. First, some basic vocabulary…First, some basic vocabulary…
 RevolutionRevolution –– one ORBITone ORBIT, or trip around the, or trip around the
Sun. This takes the EarthSun. This takes the Earth 365 ¼ days365 ¼ days
Rotation – one
SPIN of the
Earth on it’s
axis. This
takes about 24
hours…one
DAY.

17. Earth’sEarth’s TILTTILT
 The Earth is not vertical (straight up-and-The Earth is not vertical (straight up-and-
down) in relation to it’s orbital path, it’sdown) in relation to it’s orbital path, it’s tiltedtilted
23 ½ degrees from vertical23 ½ degrees from vertical..
This tilt means
that the Sun’s
energy doesn’t hit
the Earth equally.

18. Earth’sEarth’s TILTTILT
 ThisThis tilt results in uneven heating of thetilt results in uneven heating of the
Earth’s surfaceEarth’s surface..
“Direct”
sunlight
“Indirect”
sunlight

19. Distributing the Sun’s Heat -Distributing the Sun’s Heat - WINDWIND
 RULE #2 OF NATURE – Nature seeks
balance (equilibrium)
Create Wind is the
movement
of air from High
pressure to Low
pressure
HOT
air
RISES
COLD
air
SINKS

20. Precipitation – Nature’s ThermostatPrecipitation – Nature’s Thermostat
 There areThere are 3 basic causes for rain3 basic causes for rain. They are:. They are:
– Convection – due toConvection – due to evaporationevaporation andand
coolingcooling
Sun’s energy causes surface water toSun’s energy causes surface water to
evaporate and become humidityevaporate and become humidity
As the day cools off, the air cools andAs the day cools off, the air cools and
condenses, causing storms and raincondenses, causing storms and rain
Usually in tropical environmentsUsually in tropical environments

21. PrecipitationPrecipitation
–FrontalFrontal – due to changes in temperature– due to changes in temperature
Starts with warm, moist air at theStarts with warm, moist air at the
surface and abovesurface and above
As a cold front approaches, it staysAs a cold front approaches, it stays
low, forcing the moist air alolow, forcing the moist air alo
This cools and condenses the air,This cools and condenses the air,
creating rain on the “leadingcreating rain on the “leading
edge” of the frontedge” of the front
Usually in mid-latitudes where warmUsually in mid-latitudes where warm
and cold air systems collideand cold air systems collide

22. Precipitation cont.Precipitation cont.
 Orographic – due to changes in elevationOrographic – due to changes in elevation
– Moist air travels over land and approaches a steep rise inMoist air travels over land and approaches a steep rise in
elevationelevation
– As the air is forced up the side of the rise, the air cools,As the air is forced up the side of the rise, the air cools,
causingcausing precip. on the “windward” side of theprecip. on the “windward” side of the
mountainmountain
– As the (now dry) air continues over and down theAs the (now dry) air continues over and down the
“leeward” side of the mountain“leeward” side of the mountain,, it warms up andit warms up and
absorbs any availableabsorbs any available
moisture, creating amoisture, creating a
“rain“rain shadow desert”shadow desert”
– Found in areas ofFound in areas of
mountains or othermountains or other
rapid elevation changerapid elevation change

23. LatitudeLatitude
 Due to the Earth’s tilt, the amount of sunDue to the Earth’s tilt, the amount of sun
energy changes over the earth’s surface…energy changes over the earth’s surface…
Tropical (Low Latitude) zone –
year-round direct sunlight, always
hot
Temperate (Mid-Latitude) zone
– seasonal, most varied climates
Polar (High Latitude) zone –
either mild temps. or extreme cold
RULE: The HIGHER the latitude,
the COLDER the temps.

24. Altitude (Elevation)Altitude (Elevation)
 Higher elevation =Higher elevation = thinner lessthinner less
air, therefore less air to hold heat
makes it colder.
RULE –
The HIGHER
the elevation,
the COLDER the
temperatures.

26. Nearness to WaterNearness to Water
 Land heats up and cools down QUICKLY.Land heats up and cools down QUICKLY.
 Water heats up and cools down SLOWLY.Water heats up and cools down SLOWLY.
 Therefore, water acts like a blanket…Therefore, water acts like a blanket… holdingholding
heatheat andand releasingreleasing itit slowlyslowly..
 This results inThis results in smallersmaller daily and seasonaldaily and seasonal
temperature changes near large bodies of water.temperature changes near large bodies of water.
 ““CoastalCoastal” areas are” areas are humidhumid, “continental” areas, “continental” areas
are dryare dry
30 degree change
in Houston
45 degree change
in Denver

27. Direction of CurrentsDirection of Currents
 Global wind and ocean currentsGlobal wind and ocean currents transfertransfer heatheat
and moisture around the world,and moisture around the world, andand help carryhelp carry
moisturemoisture from thefrom the oceansoceans to the landto the land
– Warm water movingWarm water moving towardtoward the land brings moisturethe land brings moisture
(H(H22O)O)
– Warm water movingWarm water moving parallelparallel to the coast bringsto the coast brings
heat, no Hheat, no H22OO
– Cool water brings cool, dry air -> mild or desertCool water brings cool, dry air -> mild or desert
climatesclimates

28. Reading checkReading check
How do humans
impact the
atmosphere and how
does this affect our
lives?

29. Climate ZonesClimate Zones
 Climate zones are divided into regions: TheClimate zones are divided into regions: The
three climate zones of the world are the tropicalthree climate zones of the world are the tropical
zone, the temperate zone, and the polar zone.zone, the temperate zone, and the polar zone.
There areThere are twotwo key characteristics differences:key characteristics differences:
– Amount of moisture (rain), andAmount of moisture (rain), and
– Typical temperature range through the yearTypical temperature range through the year
 These two characteristics are affected byThese two characteristics are affected by
balancing the effects of four factors:balancing the effects of four factors:

LLatitudeatitude

AAltitudeltitude

NNearness to waterearness to water

DDirection of atmosphere and ocean currentsirection of atmosphere and ocean currents

30. How it Works...How it Works...
Tropical Wet ClimateTropical Wet Climate
 Latitude – in the
tropics HOT
 Altitude – low land
doesn’t stop air flow
until mtns. in the west
 Nearness – flat land
“acts coastal”, allows
moisture inland
 Direction – air flow
brings in warm, moist air
from the ocean which then hits the mountain and rains

31. The Tropical ZoneFigure 1 Biomes of the Tropical Zone

32. Temperate and Polar Zones

33. The Polar Zone

34. Reading checkReading check
Why are there
different climates on
the earth? Explain
with details.

35. Are you ready to be aAre you ready to be a
Jr. Meteorologist!Jr. Meteorologist!
 Meteorology is the study of weatherMeteorology is the study of weather
and the forces and processes thatand the forces and processes that
cause it.cause it.
 Why do we need to studyWhy do we need to study
weather?weather?
 Now its’ your big chance. Share whatNow its’ your big chance. Share what
you have discovered with the classyou have discovered with the class

36. Student led closingStudent led closing
TheThe arrowsarrows in the cross section below showin the cross section below show windswinds moving acrossmoving across
northern New York State into Vermont during the summer.northern New York State into Vermont during the summer.
Compared to theCompared to the climate of location Aclimate of location A, the, the climate of location B is… Why?climate of location B is… Why?
a. warmer and wettera. warmer and wetter c. cooler and drierc. cooler and drier
b. cooler and wetterb. cooler and wetter d. warmer and drierd. warmer and drier
The map shows an imaginary continent on Earth. Arrows represent windThe map shows an imaginary continent on Earth. Arrows represent wind
direction. Letters A through D represent locations on the continent.direction. Letters A through D represent locations on the continent.
Locations A and B are atLocations A and B are at the samethe same latitude and at the same elevation atlatitude and at the same elevation at
the base of the mountains.the base of the mountains.
The climate atThe climate at location Clocation C is much drier than atis much drier than at location Dlocation D.. ThisThis differencedifference isis
best explained by the fact thatbest explained by the fact that location Clocation C is located….is located….
a. at a latitude that experiences longer average annual daylighta. at a latitude that experiences longer average annual daylight
b. at a latitude where air is sinking and surface winds divergeb. at a latitude where air is sinking and surface winds diverge
c. farther from any mountain rangec. farther from any mountain range
d. closer to a large body of waterd. closer to a large body of water