Climatology Basics Quiz

Climatology

• Climatology is the study of climate and weather patterns.
• Temperature and pressure are key factors influencing weather patterns.

Temperature and Pressure

• High Pressure (HP):
  • Low temperature
  • Sinking air
  • Diverging air
  • Anticlockwise
  • Dry conditions
• Low Pressure (LP):
  • High temperature
  • Rising air
  • Converging air
  • Clockwise
  • Cloud formation and wet conditions

Unequal Heating of the Atmosphere

• Earth's heating is influenced by insolation.
• Insolation varies with latitude and seasons.
• The amount of heat energy in the atmosphere depends on the amount of incoming solar radiation reaching the earth's surface.

Latitude

• The angle at which the sun's rays strike the Earth's surface affects the amount of solar radiation received.
• The distance from the sun to the earth also plays a role in radiation intensity.
• Polar regions receive less direct sunlight and have a lower intensity of radiation.

Unequal Heating of the Atmosphere continued

• Seasonal changes affect the intensity of insolation.
• Locations near the equator experience less variation in temperature.
• Heat energy is transferred from low latitudes to high latitudes.

Heating Imbalances

• The amount of incoming radiation is not the same everywhere, creating surpluses and deficits.
• Radiation balance isn't uniform across the earth.
• Areas experience more incoming radiation than outgoing radiation – surplus.
• Conversely, areas receive less incoming radiation – deficit.
• The total amount of surplus is equal to the total amount of deficits.

Mechanisms for Energy Transfer

• Winds move warm, moist air poleward from the tropics.
• Ocean currents transport warm water to colder areas, and vice versa.
• Deep ocean currents are driven by density differences in water (temperature and salinity).

Activity

• Students create diagrams depicting the solstice positions of the sun in relation to the Earth.
• Diagrams include the tilt of the Earth, latitude lines, and arrows depicting the sun's rays.

Currents

• Surface currents circulate clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern hemisphere.
• Surface currents transport warm water toward the poles and cold water toward the equator.

Energy Transfer by Wind

• Winds horizontally transport heat energy across Earth.
• Winds carry warm air from tropical regions to higher latitudes.
• Winds also carry cold air from polar regions to lower latitudes.
• This movement helps maintain a global energy balance.

Unidirectional model of global circulation

• Illustrates the interconnectedness of air circulation patterns around the planet.

Important Forces

• Coriolis force influences the deflection of moving objects (including air masses) due to the Earth's rotation.
• Ferrel's Law explains the force and its effect on air circulation patterns.
• Pressure gradient force is the difference in air pressure that causes air to move from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.

World Pressure Belts

• Pressure belts are arranged in specific locations around the Earth.
• These belts are associated with temperature differences and with the movement of air (ascending or sinking).

Three-Cell Circulation Model

• The model describes the atmospheric circulations that transfer heat around the planet.
  • Equatorial Low (ITCZ): Rising air, associated with condensation, precipitation
  • Subtropical High: Sinking air, clear skies, little precipitation, deserts
  • Polar Low: Air masses cool, sinking, creates pressure systems.
• Describes the three main circulation cells in the atmosphere

Surface Winds

• Easterly winds blow towards the ITCZ from subtropical high pressure belts.
• Westerly winds blow away from the ITCZ towards the subpolar low.
• Polar easterlies are surface winds of the polar cell.

Further Description of the Three Cell Circulation Model

• The model illustrates the air's movement and the associated weather systems.
• The three cells (Hadley, Ferrel, Polar) illustrate the global air circulation model.

Shifting ITCZ

• The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) shifts geographically through the year.
• Shifting ITCZ impacts rainfall patterns and weather patterns.

Trade Winds

• Trade winds from the subtropical highs and towards the ITCZ

Geostrophic Winds

• Wind moves from high pressure to low pressure.
• Pressure gradient force causes wind to move along the pressure difference.
• Coriolis force deflects wind due to Earth's rotation.
• Ferrel's Law: describes how Coriolis force affects wind direction in each hemisphere.

Monsoon Winds

• A seasonal reversal of wind direction.
• In summer, winds blow from the ocean towards the land (moist).
• In winter, winds blow from the land toward the ocean (dry).
• Warm air rises over land; cool, dry air descends over land.
• Land heats and cools faster than water, causing variations in pressure.

Monsoon Summer Conditions

• Air over land is warmer than surrounding sea water.
• Warm air rises, creating low pressure over land.
• Wind blows from the sea to land (moist).
• Lots of evaporation from the ocean causes wet conditions.

Monsoon Winter Conditions

• Air over land is colder than surrounding sea water.
• Cold air sinks, creating high pressure over land.
• Wind blows from land towards the sea.
• This results in dry conditions.

Föhn Winds

• Warm, dry winds that descend on the leeward side of mountains.
• Moist air rises on the windward side, cools, and condenses to form precipitation.
• Dry air descends on the leeward side, warming adiabatically, resulting in fewer clouds and reduced rainfall.

Impacts of Berg Winds

• Encourage veld fires, impacting the environment.
• Farmers experience losses of equipment.
• Wildfires impact natural environments, animals, and humans.
• Drought and dry climates are common impacts of Berg Winds.
• Berg winds can cause heat stroke, dehydration in humans and animals.

Test your knowledge of climatology fundamentals, including key concepts such as temperature, pressure, and the unequal heating of the atmosphere. Explore how these elements interact to shape weather patterns and climate across different latitudes.