Questions and Answers
What is climate and how is it different than weather?
Climate is weather averaged over many decades; weather is what is happening now.
What scales of climate are there?
Microclimate, mesoclimate, macroclimate, global climate.
What are the primary climate controllers?
Latitude, land and water, ocean currents, prevailing winds, pressure areas, mountain barriers, altitude.
Where and why are the wettest areas?
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What do mountains do to climate zones?
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What is the Koppen classification system?
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What are the 6 primary climate regions?
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What characterizes tropical climates?
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What is the difference between mesothermal and microthermal climates?
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What is polar climate characterized by?
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How is climate change defined?
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What is the IPCC?
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How do we reconstruct past climates?
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What happens if all the land ice melts?
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Was Earth's past climate warmer?
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What have temperatures done over the last century?
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What is climate feedback?
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What do volcanic eruptions do to global climate?
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What is a primary greenhouse gas?
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What is the primary anthropogenic greenhouse gas?
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What have CO2 levels done in the last 200 years?
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What is acid deposition?
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What do clouds do to incoming solar radiation?
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What influences residence time for pollution?
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What is the primary way air pollution is generated?
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What is the urban heat island effect?
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What happens to pollution levels during high-pressure systems?
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Study Notes
Climate vs. Weather
- Climate refers to long-term weather averages over decades.
- Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions.
Scales of Climate
- Microclimate: Small, localized area with consistent surface properties.
- Mesoclimate: Climate of regions like forests, valleys, and towns.
- Macroclimate: Climate of large areas, such as states or small nations.
- Global Climate: Overall climate of the entire Earth.
Primary Climate Controllers
- Latitude influences solar energy received.
- Land and water distribution affect temperatures and precipitation.
- Ocean currents regulate heat transfer across regions.
- Prevailing winds determine moisture and temperature patterns.
- Topography, including mountain barriers and altitude, influences local climates.
Global Precipitation Patterns
- Highest precipitation occurs where air rises, particularly at the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) near the equator and at 45-degree latitudes.
Mountains and Climate Zones
- Mountains create varying climate zones with elevation changes, complicating climate classifications.
Koppen Climate Classification
- The Koppen system connects climate types with vegetation patterns, predicting climates without extensive data.
Primary Climate Regions
- Six major climate regions: Tropical, Mesothermal, Microthermal, Polar, Desert, and Highland.
Tropical Climate Characteristics
- Consistently warm temperatures year-round.
- Rainforest: consistent rainfall.
- Monsoon: rainy season half the year.
- Savanna: distinct wet and dry seasons.
Mesothermal Climate
- Humid Subtropical: moist, hot summers, prevalent in Charlotte.
- Marine West Coast: moist with cool to warm summers.
- Mediterranean: hot, dry summers.
Microthermal Climate
- Humid Continental: hot summers with cold winters.
- Subarctic: cool summers and very cold winters.
Polar Climate Features
- Tundra: long periods of snow cover; very cold conditions.
- Ice cap: consistently below freezing temperatures.
Arid and Semi-arid Definitions
- Defined by precipitation levels lower than evaporation.
- Arid regions correspond to deserts, while semi-arid receive slightly more precipitation.
Xerophytic Plants
- Drought-resistant plants adapted to desert conditions.
Climate Change Definition
- Climate change is identified by rises in average global temperatures, driven by natural and human-induced factors.
IPCC
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change monitors and reports on climate change.
Past Climate Reconstruction
- Methods include ice cores, tree rings, sediments, and geologic evidence to understand historical climate conditions.
Impact of Melting Ice
- Complete melting of land ice would significantly submerge coastal areas, particularly along the Atlantic coast.
Historical Global Temperatures
- Earth's climate has been warmer in the past, with polar regions once ice-free, influenced by volcanic activity.
Temperature Trends
- Global temperatures have risen rapidly over the last century, primarily due to human activities.
Climate Feedback and Solar Changes
- The sun's intensity is variable over time, influencing climate through feedback mechanisms.
Volcanic Eruptions and Climate
- Eruptions emit greenhouse gases while ash can temporarily cool the planet.
Eccentricity, Precession, and Obliquity
- Eccentricity: Earth's distance from the sun varies.
- Precession: Earth's axial tilt direction changes.
- Obliquity: Variation in Earth's axial tilt.
Natural Ice Ages
- Correlated with Earth's tilt away from the sun and increased distance, leading to cooler temperatures.
Human Influence on Climate
- Deforestation and pollution (CO2 and methane emissions) significantly affect climate systems.
Greenhouse Gases
- Water vapor is the primary greenhouse gas, followed by anthropogenic CO2 emissions.
CO2 Levels
- CO2 levels have increased by 50-60% over the past 200 years.
Future Climate Projections
- Models suggest a warming and wetter world over the next century.
Pollutant Types
- Primary pollutants directly emitted from a source; secondary pollutants result from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
Measuring Air Pollution
- Mobile sources (e.g., cars) are harder to quantify compared to fixed sources (e.g., factories).
Residence Time of Pollutants
- Defined by how long pollutants remain in the atmosphere, influenced by factors like rainfall, gravity, and chemical reactions.
Key Pollutants from Human Activity
- Carbon monoxide is the leading pollutant from human activities.
Particulate Matter
- PM 2.5 and PM 10: smaller particles are more harmful to health; their sizes affect inhalation risks.
Ozone Layers
- Stratospheric ozone protects from UV radiation; surface ozone, a pollutant, is created by human activities.
Acid Deposition
- Result of sulfur released from burning, leading to acidic rainfall; natural rain is slightly acidic at pH 5.6.
Pollution Trends in the U.S.
- Air pollution levels have generally decreased over the past 30 years.
Weather Conditions and Pollution
- High pressure and stable conditions increase pollution levels; rain and wind help disperse it.
Urban Heat Island Effect
- Urban areas tend to be warmer due to human activities and infrastructure.
Cloud and Light Interaction
- White clouds reflect sunlight; dark clouds indicate thickness and limited sunlight penetration.
Rainbows and Atmospheric Phenomena
- Rainbows form when light refracts through raindrops; sunsets appear red due to scattering of blue light.
Climatological Patterns
- High pressure and desert conditions align with Hadley Cell circulation at 30° N latitude.
Climate Zones Examples
- Savanna climate features heavy rainfall for part of the year with dry seasons; tundra has limited vegetation due to cold conditions.
Historical Climate Evidence
- Glacial movements 20,000 years ago shaped landforms still visible today.
Implications of Sea Level Rise
- Significant coastal flooding would occur with a 10 ft rise in sea level, impacting inland areas.
Earth's Ice History
- Ice has covered Earth for approximately 18% of its history.
Volcano Eruptions Effects
- Major eruptions can lead to a temporary cooling effect on Earth by reducing sunlight.
Climate Observations
- Current trends show rapid warming, particularly on land, with expected continued increases.
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Test your understanding of key concepts from Chapters 12-15 of Meteorology. This quiz covers definitions and scales of climate, helping you differentiate between climate and weather, as well as various climate scales. Enhance your knowledge with these flashcards!