Factors Affecting Climate PDF

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE How climate shifts due to global warming are changing weather patterns in different regions, their impact on human life and the environment, and steps that can be taken to adapt. Climate change is a global pheno...

FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE How climate shifts due to global warming are changing weather patterns in different regions, their impact on human life and the environment, and steps that can be taken to adapt. Climate change is a global phenomenon characterized by long-term changes in weather patterns due to global warming. The increase in global temperatures triggered by increased greenhouse gas emissions has disrupted the climate system, resulting in irregular rainfall, changing seasons, and an increase in the frequency of extreme weather. the average weather conditions over a long period of time –Includes average temperatures and precipitation, wind Weather is what it patterns, humidity, is NOW, climate is air pressure what it SHOULD BE. How is this different from “weather”? Weather changes day to day. Weather can fall inside normal ranges or outside of what is expected from the climate- “above or below average” Climate is the benchmark; what we expect FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE TEMPERATURE HOW DOES LATITUDE AFFECT CLIMATE? (THE ANGULAR DISTANCE N OR S OF THE EQUATOR)  Latitude is the most significant factor for determining climate Warmer at the equator Colder at the poles – in general Seasons are REVERSED between N. and S. Hemisphere  The equator serves as a reference point and is set as 0 degree latitude. Northern Hemisphere – area above equator Southern Hemisphere – area below equator  North Pole (90 degree N) – Capping the Northern Hemisphere Tropic of Cancer (23.5 N) and Arctic Circle (66.5 N) – latitudinal sections of Northern Hemisphere  South Pole (90 degree S) –base of the Southern Hemisphere Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 S) and Antarctic Circle (66.5 S) – latitudinal sections of Northern Hemisphere HOW DOES ALTITUDE AFFECT CLIMATE? As you go up in altitude, you go down in temperature and sometimes precipitation HOW DOES THE DISTANCE FROM LARGE BODIES OF WATER AFFECT CLIMATE?  Large bodies of water regulate temperature due to water’s properties. The ocean thermostat- keeps it warmer in winter and cooler in the summer –less fluctuation Inland climate have more extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year  Islands are surrounded by bodies of water and have a windward side of islands (winds blow from the sea onto land are cool and moist. Areas on the leeward side (wind blows from the land toward the sea) are warm and dry. HOW DO NEARBY OCEAN CURRENTS AFFECT THE CLIMATE?  Warm and cold ocean currents bring warm moist air near to coastal areas. Great Britain is an example – latitude position puts it in the cold and dry climate zone However it is moist and warmer due to the Gulf Stream, a warm current. HOW DO TEMPERATURE AND ELEVATION AFFECTS THE CLIMATE? Temperature decreases with elevation. The higher the elevation, the lower temperature. Particularly in summer, the temperature drops as one goes up to higher altitudes and rises as one travels to the lowlands. Air temperature decreases with elevation at a rate of about 6.5 degrees Celsius per kilometer. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PRECIPITATION HOW DO THE PROXIMITY TO MOUNTAIN RANGES AFFECT CLIMATE? Orographic effect – refers to the dynamics of air and precipitation on the windward slope of mountains. Moist air masses are pushed upward and moisture condenses as rain clouds. When these clouds are saturated, precipitation occurs. Rain shadow effect – occurs on the windward slope of mountains, which generally dry and receives less rain called rain shadow. As moist air passes over a mountain range and down the slopes, it becomes warm, dry, forming a rain shadow. HOW DO THE PREVAILING WINDS AFFECT CLIMATE? Climate change has brought about significant changes in weather patterns around the world, with far-reaching impacts on the environment, ecosystems and human life. These changes are triggering more frequent natural disasters, threatening food security and creating new challenges in dealing with resource crises. To address these challenges, collective action is needed through mitigation, such as reducing emissions, and adaptation, such as changes in agricultural systems and infrastructure. With the right approach, we can face this climate change and maintain the balance of nature and human well-being in the future. THANK YOU!