Cimate

Climate

The average weather condition prevailing in a given area over a longer period of time.

World Meteorological Organization

This organization defines the classical period for describing climate to be 30 years.

Latitude, prevailing winds, altitude, and distance from sea

Enumerate the 4 main factors that affect the climate.

Latitude

This factor is the distance from the equator. The closer the region is to the equator, the more energy it receives from the sun. This also means that regions farther from the equator receive less light and energy.

Prevailing winds

These refer to the wind direction a particular area or region experiences most frequently.

Polar easterlies, westerlies, horse latitudes, trade winds, and doldrums.

Enumerate the 5 major wind zones.

Polar Easterlies

These are dry, cold winds that blow from the high-pressure areas of polar highs located between 60 degrees and 90 degrees latitude of the northern and southern poles.

Westerlies

These are winds that blow from west going east in the middle latitudes in both northern and southern hemispheres.

Doldrums

These usually happen near the equator with light ocean currents and winds. A term used by sailors wherein ships tend to get stuck on windless waters; it can also mean depression or despondency.

Altitude

Also affects the climate in a particular region or place. Elevated or higher places are found to have colder temperatures than those found at the ground level. People flock to Baguio City during summer because of its cold temperature.

Distance from the sea

Oceans and seas heat up and cool down faster than land. This means that places near coastal areas tend to be cooler in summer and also warmer or hotter during winter than in other places of the same altitude.

Wladimir Peter Koppen

He is best known for his climate classification. He divided the world’s climates into five categories.

Tropical Climate

Temperate Climate

Are characterized by moderate rainfall across the year, warm summers, and cool winters. This climate is common to places or regions found in the middle latitudes.

Continental Climate

Includes variation of temperature year-round: hot summers, cold winters, and a small amount of rainfall. Places that experience this climate includes North America, Central Russia, and Siberia.

Polar Climate

This climate is characterized by cool summers and very cold long winters. The temperature is so cold that a layer of permanently frozen ground called permafrost is formed underneath the layer of soil.

Microclimate

Refers to the climatic conditions in localized areas near Earth’s surface. Usually defined by temperature, moisture, winds, vegetation, soil, elevation, latitude, and season.

Monsoon

Is a seasonal shift in the direction of the prevailing winds of a region. It usually causes the dry and wet seasons especially in the tropics.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services

What does PAGASA stand for?

Global Warming

Refers to the gradual increase of the overall temperature of Earth’s atmosphere. It brings changes in Earth’s climate, thus affecting the rainfall patterns and arrival of seasons. It also brings about extreme weather conditions.

Greenhouse gases

Global warming is primarily caused by the increase in the concentrations of what gas?

El Nino Southern Oscillation

Is a significant climate phenomena because of its ability to alter or change the atmospheric circulation of the world, affecting temperature and precipitation.

El Nino

Refers to the warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

La Nina

It refers to the climate pattern that is characterized by the cooling of the ocean surface along the tropical west coast in South America or eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Neutral

In this phase, trade winds blow from east to west across the surface of the Pacific Ocean. This brings warm moist air and warmer surface waters to the western Pacific and keeps the central Pacific cool.

Tropical Cyclone

Refers to the rapid rotating storm formed over tropical oceans. It has a low-pressure center with strong winds and thunderstorms that may bring heavy rains. A general term and can be categorized depending on its maximum wind speed.

Hurricane

A type of tropical cyclone that forms over tropical or subtropical waters. It has winds of 74 mph.

Typhoon

A mature tropical cyclone that usually originates in the northwest Pacific.

Weather satellite ground receiving station

This is used to monitor, observe, report, and collect atmospheric data for preparation and warnings.

Weather surveillance radar

This is a device that is used to track typhoons and cloud masses at a distance of more or less 400 km. This device is usually placed on top of the building where it is free from any obstructions.

Rawinsonde

It is an electronic device used for measuring wind speed and direction, pressure, temperature, and humidity. This device is attached to a balloon as it make its measurements in the atmosphere.

Public Storm Warning System

This system warns locals about the possible impact and damage a typhoon or tropical cyclone may bring.

Guy Stewart Callendar

His research led him to the conclusion that carbon emissions into the atmosphere are linked to global warming.