1 Climate Zones ES10 Deirdre Scholar Biomes Weather vs. Climate •Weather : short term (hours – days) atmospheric conditions •What are the 4 conditions (components) of weather? •1) temperature, 2) moisture, 3) pressure, 4) wind •Climate : long-term average (decades - centuries) of weather (temperature & precipitation) •Climate is variable –seasons –climatic events (e.g. El Nino) –over geologic time
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Climate Zones�
ES10�
Deirdre Scholar
Biomes
Weather vs. Climate�• Weather: short term (hours – days) atmospheric
conditions�• What are the 4 conditions (components) of weather?�• 1) temperature, 2) moisture, 3) pressure, 4) wind�
• Climate: long-term average (decades - centuries) of weather (temperature & precipitation)�
• Climate is variable �– seasons �– climatic events (e.g. El Nino) �– over geologic time�
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Climographs • At least 3 decades of temperature &
precipitation data • Monthly averages
Source: www.southhill.vsb.bc.ca
What controls locations of �climate zones (& biomes)?�
1. Latitude & Insolation ��
2. Ocean & Atmospheric circulation�
3. Topography�
4. Proximity to water (Maritime & Continental climates)�
5. Elevation�
6. Storms�
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1) Latitude & Insolation • Angle of incidence: angle sun’s rays strike E’s
surface. • Insolation: Incoming solar radiation
– Tropical: concentrated Polar: spread out
Albedo (reflectivity)
Source: Earthobservatory.nasa.gov�
Snow & Ice 80 - 85% Clouds 70 - 90% Water (low sun angle) 50 - 80% Sand 20 - 30% Forest 5 - 10% Water (high sun angle) 5% Dark Soil 3%
Absorption: opposite of Reflection
Solar radiation absorption �From www.physicalgeography.net
Review questions for Climate Zones Lecture�1. Describe the main differences between weather and climate--what controls them? �2. Define angle of incidence, insolation and albedo. What is the relationship
between latitiude (distance from equator), angle of incidence, insolation and average temperatures?�
3. Which surfaces have high albedo, which have low albedo? �4. What kinds of climate should we expect at the equator (0°), 30°N&S? �5. Why do wind and ocean currents flow in a curved path? Name of effect?�6. What causes seasons? How do seasons change location of ITCZ etc.?�7. What temperature patterns exist with ocean currents on east and west coasts of
continents? Give an example of how ocean water temps & climates vary at the same latitude & continent along opposite coasts?�
8. Orographic Effect & Rainshadows: Why are the eastern facing (leeward) slopes of California’s mountain ranges drier than the western facing (windward) slopes? Explain the formation of Death valley’s climate.�
9. Mountain climates: controlled by? Characteristics?�10. If there’s time…..�11. What is upwelling? How does it contribute to the formation of fog & fisheries
along the CA coast?�12. What is ENSO? Where are it’s effects most intense? What impacts does it have
on upwelling, winter storm activity and coastal erosion in CA?�
If there’s time….
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Upwelling along west coasts of North and South America
Upwelling and fog formation along California Coast
www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/20021016westbloom.html
ENSO El Niño Southern Oscillation
• Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ: where trade winds meet), shifts southward--below equator
• Intense eastward flow of equatorial countercurrent in Pacific Ocean
• Warm water flows towards continents of N.A. and S.A.
• Ocean climate changes persist for 12-18 months
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Pacific Surface
Flow
Sea Surface Temperature and Water Temperature Profile
January 1997 y
SST and Temp. Profile November 1997
Red is 30 degrees C and blue is 8 degrees C. g g
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SST and Temp. Profile March 1998
Sea Level Measurements from San Francisco 1900 -
1999
Seabright Beach 10/97
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Seabright Beach 2/98
Debris Flows
Impacts of ENSO
• Along west coasts of N.A. and S.A. – Changes to wind patterns
• Upwelling reduced or cut off completely
– Coastal Erosion and flooding dramatically increased by: • Rise in SL due to thermal expansion of water • Heavy rainfall • Severe storm activity • Large wave events
– 75% of all coastal erosion in CA occurs during El Niño winters