Climate Test Review

What is climate?

weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

What factors are climate affected by?

latitude, elevation, global winds, ocean currents, proximity to water

Which two factors determine the climate in a particular region?

temperature and precipitation

At which latitude would you expect to find the warmest air temperatures?

0°

At which latitude would you expect to find the coldest air temperatures?

66.5°N

What areas are located between 66.5°N and the North Pole and 66.5°S and the South Pole. They have low temperatures and very little precipitation.

Polar Climate Zones

What is elevation?

the height above sea level

What climate zone is located near the equator where the sun is directly overhead all year?

tropical

What temperature are currents on the east coast of continents and why?

warm because they typically travel from the equator to the poles, carrying warm water from tropical regions

Which of the five major climate zones has the highest annual rainfall and stays warm all year with little seasonal change?

tropical

Which of the five major climate zones tends to have the most extreme seasonal changes?

continental

What causes wind?

differences in air pressure

What causes differences in air pressure?

uneven heating of the earth

What is wind?

the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure

In which direction do prevailing westerlies flow?

from west to east

Winds that come from the east and occur between 60 and 90 degrees north and south latitude are known as the ________.

Polar Easterlies

Early trade commerce to the America's depended on these steady winds that blow between the equator and 30 latitude north and south are known as the ______.

Trade Winds

What temperatures do temperate climates have?

Moderate (medium) temperatures

What climate zone is this?

Dry

What climate zone is this?

Polar

What climate is warm and rainy year round and is found near the Amazon rain forest in South America?

Tropical Wet

What climate zone has warm summers, cool winters, and average precipitation?

temperate

What temperature are currents on the west coast of continents and why?

cold because they typically travel from the polar regions towards the equator

What is weather?

The state of the atmosphere at a specific time and place

What is a hot and dry climate region that is typically near 30' latitude?

dry

What latitudes do the trade winds have?

0’-30’

What latitudes do the polar easterlies have?

30’-60’

What latitudes do the prevailing westerlies have?

30’-60’

What does warm air rising create?

clouds and precipitation

What is the difference between the highest and lowest temperature?

temperature range

If fresh water is added to salt water it will ___

float

What climate region is cold all year long and very dry?

polar

What can help cause a region’s temperature to be cooler or warmer if they are located near the ocean?

ocean currents

A coordinate that measures how far north or south a point is on Earth

latitude

What climate region has hot summers, cold winters, and the most drastic temperature range?

continental

How do landforms like mountains affect climate?

Mountains can block rainy weather from reaching the other side of the mountain.This is called a rain shadow, which is when the air that reaches the other side of the mountain is warm and dry.

How does latitude affect climate?

If an area is near the equator, it will be hotter because there are direct sun rays on it. If an area is farther away from the equator, such as the poles, they will be colder.

How do ocean currents affect the climates of the continents?

If a continent is near a cold ocean current, then it will have a colder relative temperature. If a continent is near a warm ocean current, then it will have a warmer relative temperature. 

What is the temperature range for tropical climate regions and why?

Small temperature range because it’s always hot with similar temperatures.

What is the relative temperature for tropical climate regions and why?

hot because it’s close to the equator, where there is lots of sun

What is the amount of precipitation for tropical climate regions and why?

Lots of precipitation because it’s close to bodies of water and it’s so hot the water can evaporate.

What is the temperature range for polar climate regions and why?

Small temperature range because it’s always freezing

What is the relative temperature for polar climate regions and why?

The relative temperature is cold because it’s farthest from the equator

What is the amount of precipitation for polar climate regions and why?

Little precipitation because it isn’t hot enough for water to evaporate.

What is the temperature range for temperate climate regions and why?

Moderate temperature range, temperatures don’t change much but there are still seasons.

What is the relative temperature for temperate climate regions and why?

Relative temperature is cold because of the cold ocean current.

What is the amount of precipitation for temperate climate regions and why?

Average precipitation because it isn’t too hot or cold and it is a moderate climate.

What is the temperature range for continental climate regions and why?

Large temperature range because they have all seasons and experience drastic seasonal changes.

What is the relative temperature for continental climate regions and why?

Relative temperature is warm because of the warm ocean current.

What is the amount of precipitation for continental climate regions and why?

Average amount because they have all seasons

What is the temperature range for dry/arid climate regions and why?

Little temperature range because it’s always hot

What is the relative temperature for dry/arid climate regions and why?

Relative temperature is hot because they don’t have much water

What is the amount of precipitation for continental climate regions and why?

Average Precipitation because it gets all 4 seasons

What are surface currents caused by?

wind

What is the Coriolis Effect?

Makes things that travel long distances around Earth appear to move at a curve

If salt water is added to fresh water it will ___

sink