Chp 4: Physical Geography - Climate

Climate Zone types

A - Tropical Climates

B - Dry Climates

C - Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climates

D - Moist Continental Mid-Latitude Climates

E - Polar Climates

H - Highlands 

A -Tropical Climates

Moist tropical climates extend north and south from the equator to about 15° to 25° latitude. In these climates, all months have average temperatures greater than 64°F (18°C) and annual precipitation greater than 59".

B - Dry Climates

Potential evaporation and transpiration exceed precipitation. These climates extend from 20°-35° North and South of the equator and in large continental regions of the mid-latitudes, often surrounded by mountains.

C - Moist Subtropical Mid-Latitude Climates

This climate generally has warm and humid summers with mild winters. It extends from 30°-50° latitude mainly on the eastern and western borders of most continents. During the winter, the main weather feature is the mid-latitude cyclone. Convective thunderstorms dominate summer months.

D - Moist Continental Mid-Latitude Climates

have warm to cool summers and cold winters. The location of these climates. The average temperature of the warmest month is greater than 50°F (10°C), while the coldest month average temperature is less than 27°F (-3°C). Winters are severe, with snowstorms, strong winds, and bitter cold from Continental Polar or Arctic air masses.

E - Polar Climates

year-round cold temperatures, with the warmest month less than 50°F (10°C). Found on the northern coastal areas of North America, Europe, Asia, and on the land masses of Greenland and Antarctica.

H - Highlands

Unique climates that are a result of elevation. Occur in mountainous terrain where rapid elevation changes cause rapid climatic changes over short distances.

Climate Moderators

Latitude

Topography (Elevation &  Rain Shadow)

Albedo

Ocean Currents

Latitude

_____ bands depict how much direct sun a climate will receive. Northern bands receive less sun. Bands closer to _______ receive more.

Insolation

incoming solar radiation - Amount determined by intensity and duration of radiation from the sun. Two types: Primary and Secondary

Primary Insolation

solar radiation absorbed at Earth’s surface

Secondary Insolation

solar radiation absorbed within the Earth’s  atmosphere

Desert Locations/ Climates

most are located between 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S.

Topography - Elevation

Air temperature decreases with altitude due to a decrease in air pressure (higher up in the mountains the colder the air gets). Can use Environmental Lapse Rate to mathematically determine the approximate temperature depending on elevation

Environmental Lapse Rate

mathematical formula meant to determine approximate temperature depending on you mountainus elevation - [ 3.5 degrees lower with every 1000ft increase in elevation] 

Starting at 9000ft in elevation at the base of a mountain with a temperature of 61 degrees Farenheit what would be the temperature at the top of a mountain that is 19000 ft in elevation

19,000 ft -9,000 ft = 10,000 ft difference.

10,000 / 1,000 = 10 intervals where a 3.5 degree decrease would occur.

-3.5 × 10 = -35 degrees.

61 degrees - 35 degrees = 26 degrees at 19,000 ft in elevation

Topography - Rain Shadow Effect / Orographic Rainfall

moist warm air comes in from the ocean and as it rises over one side of the mountain (aka windward slope) it condenses and rains on that side. As it reaches the peak it has no more rain left to deposit and flows over the opposite side (aka leeward side) as dry cool air

Albedo

reflectivity of sunlight of a surface. Can have high or low ____

High Albedo

less energy for reradiation at the surface (cooler) [lighter materials/colors reflect more sunlight and heat away from them making them cooler]

Low Albedo

more energy for reradiation at surface (warmer)

[darker materials/colors reflect less sunlight and heat away from them making them warmer]

Urban Heat Islands

Low albedo materials (asphalt, dark rooftops) absorb and retain heat and reduce vegetation results in less cooling shade and evaporation leading to an increase in overall temperature in urban areas compared to nearby rural areas

Ocean Currents

large-scale continuous movement of water driven by wind, Earth’s rotation, differences in salinity (salt), and temperature gradients. They act like a conveyor belt redistributing heat globally

Warm Ocean Currents

Flow from equatorial regions toward higher latitudes

Transport ____ and moisture

_____ coastal temperatures and increase humidity/precipatation

_______ winters in nearby regions

Cold Ocean Currents

Flow from _____ to the _____

Carry ____ water along coastlines

______ coastal temperatures and reduce humidity

Create dry conditions and suppress rainfall