Warm-up

What do you see in this picture? What landform is Florida? How do you think this storm affected the weather in Florida?

CLIMATEWeather?

Definition

Different types of climate

Houston's climate and description

CategoryWhat is it?

What factors affect climate?

IllustrationsWhat are some examples?

Comparisons

LAM

E

COWS

Factors affecting climate

LATITUDEAIR PRESSUREMOUNTAIN BARRIERS

ELEVATION

CONTINENTAL LOCATIONOCEAN CURRENTSWIND BELTSSTORMS

LATITUDEAIR PRESSUREMOUNTAIN BARRIERS

ELEVATION

CONTINENTAL LOCATIONOCEAN CURRENTSWIND BELTSSTORMS

Latitude has the biggest effect on climate because…

AIR PRESSURE

Air Pressure

1. Caused by unequal heating of earth’s surface

2. Low pressure = warm, moist air

→ rises & forms clouds → storms (thin air)

3. High pressure = cold, dry air

→ sinks → stable and clear weather (dense air)

Mountain BarriersOrographic Effect

•Winds cool as they move up the side of a mountain, eventually releasing rain or snow. By the time the winds reach the other side of the mountain, they are dry and become warmer as they flow down the mountain.

Elevation(Snows of Kilimanjaro)

ElevationIncrease in elevation = Decrease in temperature↑ 1000 ft = ↓ 3.6°F

COLD

COOL

WARM

HOT

Refer to Pg. 56

Continental LocationContinental LocationOceans are solar energy collectorsBecause water heats & cools more slowlythan land…1. Coastline has a stable temperature2. Interior of continent has extremetemperatures (hotter & colder)

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#

Amarillo

Houston

Gulf of Mexico

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Amarillo

Houston

Gulf of Mexico

GO TO PAGE

S-33 IN YOUR

BOOK!

Ocean CurrentsBalance the Earth

Ocean Currents1. Giant rivers of sea water flowing at surface ofoceans2. Flow in circular paths:Warm currents carry water from low → highlatitudes,Cool currents return cooled water from high →low latitudes.

A better look on Pg. 55

Movie: Day After Tomorrow

Wind Currents-Balance EarthWind belts“Wind” = movement of air from high pressure tolow pressure (ex: poke a hole in a tire)Trade Winds: high P (30°) → low P (0°)Westerlies: high P (30°) → low P (60°) carryweather across U.S. from west → eastPolar winds: → bring cold air from poles(90° → 60°)

StormsBring heat from tropics (Balance)

StormsOccur during low pressure conditions.Storm front = when two air masses withdifferent temperatures meet.1. Thunderstorms:Fronts & high pressure areas along equator2. Tornadoes – formed along fronts3. Tropical storms (hurricanes) – formed inoceans

SINKER

• Use at least 5 of these factors affecting climate as examples of why Houston’s climate is the way it is…

Go back to your island on page 7. Sketch a climate map of the same island. Include 2-3 climate regions and explain how each region is geographically reasonable.

Cimate TypeHighlandTropical Wet and Dry

40 0 40 80 Miles

N

EW

S

New Island