APES Temperature and Effect on Climate

Weather

Local atmospheric conditions of a location at a given time

Climate

The average weather conditions over a lon

Latitude

Horizontal lines which mark distance from the equator - the closer the latitude is to the equator, the warmer due to sunlight hitting the equator at the most direct and concentrated angle

Albedo

Amount of light reflected off of an object or surface - the lower the albedo, the warmer something is due to rough and dark surfaces absorbing the most IR energy

Altitude

Height in the atmosphere above sea level - the lower the altitude, the warmer because as you get closer to Earth’s surface, IR waves have less distance to dissipate over

Elevation

Height above sea level on land - as elevation increases, temperature decreases because air pressure and density decreases, meaning the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are more spread apart, trapping less heat

Humidity

The amount of water vapor in the air - makes hot days hotter due to the air saturated with water preventing sweat from being able to evaporate; makes cold days colder due to the high moisture conducting heat away from the body faster

Damp Soil

Mixture of sediment and humus which contains a small amount of moisture - temperature cools during hot days because evaporation reduces latent heat and the higher heat capacity of water prevents the soil from heating up or cooling down as quickly

Wind

Horizontal movement of air - wind blown from colder areas brings in colder air, reducing the overall temperature

Air Pressure

Downward force exerted by the weight of air molecules above - the higher the air pressure, the warmer it is due to there being a more concentrated amount of greenhouse gases which trap more heat

Hadley Cells

Large-scale atmospheric convection loops. They rise at the equator (warm/wet) and sink at 30 degrees latitude (warm/dry), creating distinct climatic temperature zones.

Prevailing Winds

Prevailing Winds: Consistent global wind patterns (like Trade Winds). They drive surface ocean currents, moving heat horizontally across the globe.

No Wind Zones

No Wind Zones (Doldrums/Horse Latitudes): Areas where air is rising or sinking vertically rather than moving horizontally. They occur due to the meeting of Hadley cells, often resulting in stagnant, hot temperatures

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving objects due to Earth's rotation. It curves wind and ocean currents, determining the direction that heat is transported globally.

Ocean Currents

Large-scale water movements. They act as a "conveyor belt," moving warm water from the equator to higher latitudes, significantly warming coastal climates

Surface and Subsurface Currents

Surface currents are driven by wind; subsurface (thermohaline) currents are driven by density/salt/temp. Both are vital for global heat distribution

Gyre

Large systems of circulating ocean currents. They trap and circulate heat across entire ocean basins, affecting the temperatures of bordering continents.

Counter Currents

Small currents flowing opposite to the main wind-driven currents. They help balance water levels and heat distribution near the equator.