Chapter 18:

Climate
Climates of Earth, Climate Cycles and Recent Climate Changes
What is Climate?
● Climate is the long-term average weather conditions that
occur in a particular region.
● Climate depends on how average weather conditions change
throughout the year.
What affects Climate?
● How far the region is from the equator, or its latitude, helps
control climate.
○ Regions near the equator receive more solar energy per unit
of surface area annually and thus have warmer temperatures.
○ Polar regions receive less solar energy per unit of surface
area annually and have cold temperatures.
What Affects Climate?
● The height above Earth’s surface, or altitude, affects
climate. Temperature decreases as altitude increases.
What Affects Climate?
● Mountains influence climate because they block prevailing
winds.
○ A(n) rain shadow is an area of low rainfall on the downwind
slope of a mountain.
○ In a rain shadow, the climate is dry and hot. Vegetation can be
desertlike.
○ On the side of mountains that contact the prevailing winds,
much rain falls.
Large Bodies of Water
● Temperatures are more constant throughout the year for a region
near a(n) large body of water.
○ The high specific heat of water makes climates on coasts
different from inland climates.
○ Specific heat is the amount of thermal energy needed to raise
the temperature of 1 kg of a material 1°C.
Large Bodies of Water
● Cold ocean currents make the temperature of nearby land cooler,
and warm ones make it warmer.
● A(n) microclimate is a localized climate that is different from the
climate of the surrounding region.
○ A common microclimate is the urban heat island. The concrete
absorbs heat, raising the temperature of the area.
○ Forested microclimates are often cooler and less windy than
the surrounding countryside.
Classifying Climates
● There are five climate types, based on regional temperature,
precipitation, and vegetation.
○ A(n) polar climate is cold year-round and has little precipitation.
○ A dry climate has little precipitation, hot summers, and cooler
winters.
○ A(n) continental climate has warm summers, cold winters, and moderate
amounts of precipitation.
○ A(n) tropical climate has high precipitation and is warm year-round.
○ A(n) mild climate has high precipitation, warm summers, and mild
winters, and is humid.
Classifying climates
● Temperature and precipitation affect the crops grown in an area.
● Climate affects how human shelter is designed.
● Organisms other than humans are adapted to certain climates and
would not survive in other climates.
Climate Cycles
● A(n) long-term climate cycle takes much longer than a lifetime to
complete.
○ El Niño and La Niña
○ Pacific decadal oscillation
○ North Atlantic oscillation
○ Ice Ages
● Seasonal changes and changes that result from the interaction
between the ocean and the atmosphere are some examples of short
term climate changes.
Recent Climate Changes
● Regional and Global Climate Change
● Human Impact on Climate Change
● Climate and Society
● Predicting Climate Change
Weather vs. Climate