4.1 Climate Flashcards
Weather:
the day to day conditions of Earth’s atmosphere
Climate
average conditions over long periods
a regions climate defined by year after year patterns of temperature and precipitation
climate is rarley
uniform
microclimate:
environmental conditions that vary over small distances create microclimates
ex: north vs south sides of trees
Environmental conditions are varied within a
given region (aka microclimate)
global climate is shaped by:
- solar energy trapped by the sun
- latitude (distance from equator)
- transport of heat by winds and ocean currents
What is the greenhouse effect?
greenhouse gases (co2, methane, water vapor) in the atmosphere trap heat; if greenhouse gas concentrations rise they trap more heat (earth warms) if the concentration falls more heat escapes (earth cools)
the curvature of the earth causes:
the same amount of solar energy to spread out overa much larger area near the poles than nea the equator, so polar areas recieve less intense solar energy (heat), creating 3 climate zones: tropical, temperate, polar
Other factors that effect climate
earth’s topography:
* the side of mt. ranges facing away from ocean typically are dry bc of the rain shadow effect
* near large bodies of water or not
ex: cold dry desserts of AZ and NV
Explain why San Fransisco and St Louis have differnet climates even though they are the same latitude
St Louis: hot humid in summer, snow and cold in winter
San Fransisco: mild
Because San Fransisco is near the ocean
What is weather?
The day to day conditions of Earth’s atmosphere
Examples include warm and sunny, hot and dry, rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog, and wind.
What is climate?
The average weather conditions over long periods of time
Climate is defined by year to year patterns of temperature and precipitation.
What are the two key factors that define a region’s climate?
- Temperature
- Precipitation
What is a microclimate?
A climate that exists within a small area, differing from the surrounding climate
Example: Rapid City vs. Lake Pactola in summer.
What was the estimated cost of the Rapid City Flood of 1972?
$160 million dollars in 1972
The flood resulted in 238 deaths and 3,057 injuries.
What were the official snow totals during Winter Storm Atlas in October 2013?
23.1 inches of snow
Wind gusts reached 71 mph.
What influences the amount of solar energy a region receives?
Latitude or distance from the equator
How does Earth’s topography affect climate?
Mountain ranges influence climate through the shadow effect
The windward side receives more precipitation than the leeward side.
Why can San Francisco and St. Louis have different climates despite being at similar latitudes?
San Francisco has mild summers and winters while St. Louis experiences hot, humid summers and harsh winters.
What is the climate like in the British Isles compared to Moscow, Russia?
Warm and rainy in summer, cool and foggy in winter
Both are at relatively the same latitude.
Fill in the blank: The Tropics are located between ______ degrees North and ______ degrees South latitude.
23.5 degrees
How do warm air and ocean currents affect climate in the tropics?
They move northward in the northern hemisphere and southward in the southern hemisphere, dispersing thermal energy.
True or False: Climates are usually uniform within a region.
False
Environmental conditions can vary significantly within a given region.
What was the impact of the Rapid City Flood of 1972 in terms of infrastructure?
- 1,335 homes destroyed
- 5,000 automobiles destroyed
