Weather and Climate

• Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions including temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and cloud cover, typically observed over hours or days.
• Climate is long-term average weather conditions, usually measured over 30 years or more.

Elements of Weather

• Temperature is the measure of heat in the atmosphere measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
• Rainfall is the amount of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet) measured in millimeters (mm).
• Wind direction is the direction from which the wind blows, and wind strength is its speed measured in km/h or m/s.
• Cloud cover is the amount of sky covered by clouds, usually measured in oktas.

Instruments for Measuring Weather

• Thermometer measures temperature.
• Rain gauge measures rainfall.
• Wind vane determines wind direction.
• Anemometer measures wind speed.
• Barometer measures atmospheric pressure.

Using Weather Instruments

• Place thermometers in the shade, away from direct sunlight.
• Rain gauges should be placed in an open area away from obstructions.
• Wind vanes should be placed in an elevated position to avoid obstructions.
• Anemometers should also be placed at a height for accurate wind speed readings.
• Barometers should be kept indoors away from direct heat or cold.

Optimal Placement of Weather Instruments

• Thermometers should be in a shaded, ventilated location away from artificial heat sources.
• Rain gauges should be in an open space, about 30 cm above ground level.
• Wind vanes and anemometers should be on rooftops or high poles.
• Barometers should be indoors, away from direct heat and drafts.

Factors Influencing Climate

• Latitude affects temperature; areas closer to the equator are warmer.
• Distance from the sea results in milder temperatures in coastal areas and more extreme temperatures inland.
• Prevailing winds can bring warmth, cold, or moisture.
• Altitude causes higher altitudes to be colder due to lower air pressure.

Diagrams Illustrating Climate Factors

• Diagrams show how latitude affects temperature zones.
• Sea influence moderates temperatures.
• Altitude affects temperature, with mountains being cooler. Prevailing winds affect rainfall distribution.

Factors Influencing Regional Climate

• Latitude determines the amount of sunlight received.
• Distance from the sea leads to stable temperatures due to water’s heat retention.
• Prevailing winds affect temperature and humidity.
• Altitude results in lower temperatures and different precipitation patterns at higher elevations.

Rainfall Processes

• Frontal rainfall occurs when warm and cold air masses meet.
• Relief (orographic) rainfall happens when moist air is forced over mountains.
• Convectional rainfall is caused by intense heating, leading to rapid evaporation and condensation.

Diagrams of Rainfall Processes

• Frontal rainfall illustrations should show warm air meeting cold air and rising.
• Relief rainfall illustrations should show air rising over mountains, cooling, and condensing.
• Convectional rainfall illustrations should show heated air rising, cooling, and forming clouds.

How Rainfall Processes Occur

• During frontal rainfall, warm air rises over cold air, cools, and causes rain.
• During relief rainfall, air forced up mountains cools and condenses, creating rain.
• During convectional rainfall, the sun heats the ground, causing warm air to rise and form rain clouds.

Climatic Regions

• Mediterranean climates are found in countries like Spain, Italy, and Malta.
• Tropical rainforest climates are found near the equator, such as in Brazil and Indonesia.

Climatic Characteristics of Major World Areas

• Mediterranean climates have hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
• Tropical rainforest climates are hot and humid with heavy rainfall all year.

Climate Graphs

• Mediterranean climate graphs will show high summer temperatures, low summer rainfall, and winter rain.
• Tropical rainforest climate graphs will show consistently high temperatures and high rainfall throughout the year.

Ecosystems

• Ecosystems are communities of living organisms interacting with their environment.

Features of Ecosystems

• Biotic factors are living organisms like plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Abiotic factors are non-living components like sunlight, soil, and water.

Roles of Plants and Animals

• Producers (plants) make their own food through photosynthesis.
• Consumers (animals) eat plants or other animals.

Energy Transfer Diagrams

• Diagrams show the transfer of energy from the Sun → Producer (plant) → Primary consumer (herbivore) → Secondary consumer (carnivore) → Decomposer (bacteria/fungi).

Energy Transfers in Food Chains

• Energy from the sun is passed to plants, then to herbivores, then to carnivores, and finally to decomposers, which recycle nutrients.

Maltese Habitats

• Garigue habitats have low shrubs, rocky, dry soil.
• Woodland habitats contain trees like Aleppo pine.
• Sand dune habitats are coastal with shifting sands.
• Marshland habitats are wetlands with rich biodiversity.

Maltese Flora and Fauna

• Flora is plant life.
• Fauna is animal life.
• Endemic species are found only in Malta (e.g., Maltese Rock Centaury).
• Indigenous species are native but also found elsewhere.
• Conservation is important to protect biodiversity.

Conservation Areas and Natura 2000 Sites

• Examples of conservation areas include Għadira Nature Reserve and Buskett Gardens.
• Natura 2000 protects habitats and species.

Threats to Maltese Ecosystems

• Threats include pollution, urbanization, invasive species, and habitat destruction.
• Conservation through protected areas, laws, and education is essential.

Biodiversity

• Biodiversity is the variety of life.
• Loss of biodiversity is caused by habitat destruction, pollution, and overhunting.
• Preservation of biodiversity involves protecting habitats, reducing pollution, and educating people.

Explore weather's short-term conditions like temperature and rainfall, contrasting it with climate's long-term averages. Learn about key weather elements such as temperature, rainfall, wind, and cloud cover. Discover the instruments used to measure weather and their proper usage.