Weather and Climate

Weather- refers to atmospheric conditions at a specific moment It’s hot today, it’s going to rain tomorrow, etc.

Climate- typical atmospheric conditions in an area over a long period of time It’s hot in the summers, it usually snows in the

winter

Weather vs. Climate

Temperature- the amount of heat in the atmosphere

We can measure temperature with a thermometer

Atmospheric conditions

Precipitation-water that falls from the sky as rain, snow, or hail

We can measure precipitation with a pluviometer, or rain gauge

Atmospheric Conditions

Wind- the movement of air in the atmosphere Direction- weather

vane Speed- anemometer

Atmospheric Conditions

Anemometer Weather Vane

Atmospheric Pressure- caused by the weight of the air in the atmosphere

We can measure this pressure with a barometer

When there is more air, the pressure increases and the weather is usually fair and stable.

Atmospheric Conditions

Barometer

What does an anemometer measure? Wind Speed What instrument can I use to measure precipitation? Rain Gauge or pluviometer What instrument can I use to find out the wind direction? Weather vane What instrument can I use to measure temperature? Thermometer What instrument do I use to measure pressure? Barometer

Quiz

Factors that influence climate

Latitude Climate zones that are

near the Equator are usually warm

The polar zones have lower temperatures because the Sun doesn’t shine directly on these zones

Factors that influence climate

Indirect light all year long

Coolest temperatures

Winters long, cold, and dark

Summers short, warm

Low precipitation

Frigid Zone

Indirect Light Middle Latitude 4 season Precipitation may

be plentiful, may be dry

Temperate Zone

Direct Light Near the equator Temperatures high

all year long Rain is plentiful or it

is very dry

Torrid zone or The Tropics

Distance from bodies of water Water takes longer to heat up than land, and

it also takes longer to cool down again

Factors that Influence Climate

Altitude Places at higher altitudes are usually colder

than places at lower altitudes At higher altitudes, climate is often wetter

Clouds can’t hold a lot of water when it’s cold, so water falls to the ground as precipitation

Factors that Influence Climate

Latitude Distance from Bodies of water Altitude

Factors that influence climate