Unit Test Review

weather: day to day atmospheric conditions
climate: average weather patterns over a period of time
temperature: measure of heat in the atmosphere
precipitation: moisture that falls from the air to the ground

1. rain

2. snow

3. sleet

4. hail

temperature range: difference between highest & lowest temp
Max Temp - Min Temp

total precipitation: total amount of precipitation received
add precipitation of all months

total snowfall: amount of snow accumulated over a timeframe
add precipitation of all months below 0°

continental climate: larger temp change, less precipitation
maritime climate: smaller temp change, more precipitation

Difference between climate and weather:

• weather = short term atmospheric conditions

• climate = long-term average of weather patterns in an area

6 Climate Factors:

1. Latitude – how far north or south an area is

2. Ocean Currents - warm/cold currents can influence land temperature

3. Wind & Air Masses - carry temperature and moisture from one location to the next

4. Elevation – how high in altitude

5. Relief – types of precipitation

6. Nearby Waters – being close to water affects precipitation in the area

Maritime climates have a more mild temp with less change.
Also have more precipitation because of the influence of the waters.

Continental Climates have a temp that experiences more changes and less precipitation due to being in the middle of a continent.

Types of Precipitation

Relief precipitation occurs when warm moist air is forced to rise over high areas.
Process: warm air rises, cool air condenses, forms cloud, precipitation falls on the windward side.

Convectional precipitation occurs when the sun heats the land and air, causing it to rise.
Process: sun heats air, air rises, cools and condenses into clouds, rain occurs.

Cyclonic precipitation occurs from the meeting of different air masses (warm and cold fronts).
Process: cold air pushes under warm air causing it to rise. Leads to cloud formation and precipitation.

CLIMATE REGIONS