Weather and Climate

Weather

Weather - the ^^condition of the atmosphere^^ at a particular place and time; short-term

Different kinds of weather - Sunny day, Windy day, Rainy day, Cloudy day, Stormy day

Climate

Climate - the ^^average weather condition^^ in an area based on the average weather experienced for 30 years or more. It is long-term and predictable.

Climatology - the ^^branch of atmospheric science^^ that describes climate

Climatologists - ^^people who study climate^^

The climate is affected by two factors:

1. Temperature
  • Latitude - ^^horizontal,^^ measurement of the distance, Tropical, Temperate, Polar
  • Altitude - ^^vertical^^, height above sea level, the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature
  • Bodies of water - ^^ocean heats up and cools down more slowly,^^ the warmer the land, the cooler the sea, and vice versa
2. Precipitation - water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, hale
  • Prevailing Winds - wind patterns

  ^^Northeast monsoon - (Amihan)^^

  ^^Southwest monsoon - (Habagat)^^

  Monsoon - ^^seasonal rain and wind pattern^^

  Transpiration - the ^^exhalation^^ of water vapor through the stomata

  Stomata - any of the minute ^^pores in the epidermis of the leaf^^ or stem of a plan

Mountain Ranges - ^^block the path of prevailing winds, rain mainly falls on the windward side (right), leeward (left)^^

5 Main Climate groups in the Köppen Geiger Climate

  1. Tropical or Megathermal - ^^has no winter,^^ the average temperature of 18°C or higher
  2. Dry - ^^low precipitation rate^^
  3. Mid Temperate or Mesothermal - ^^winters are mild^^
  4. Continental or Microthermal - ^^winters are severe^^
  5. Polar - ^^no summer^^

Tropical Climates Subtypes

  1. Tropical wet Climates - always hot and humid with ^^heavy rainfall^^ throughout the year
  2. Tropical wet and dry - always hot with ^^alternating wet and dry^^ seasons

Dry Climate Subtypes

  1. Arid - true dessert climate, hot to extremely hot summers, mild, or cold winters
  2. Semiarid - higher precipitation rate than of an arid climate

Mild Temperate Subtypes

  1. Marine west coast - ^^western^^ side of the continent, and coolest mild temperate
  2. Mediterranean - warmer and drier than marine west cost, warm, ^^dry summer^^, and mild, rainy winters
  3. Humid subtropical - ^^eastern^^ side of the continent, and warmest

Continental Climate Subtypes

  1. Humid continental climate - ^^humid^^, mild to warm summers and cool winters
  2. Subarctic - ^^north^^ of the regions with humid continental climate, short, cool summers with light precipitation, and long, cool winters

Polar Climate Subtypes

  1. Tundra - ^^short, cold summer^^ and very cold winters
  2. Icecap - average temperature of 0° or below, and the ^^coldest climate^^ on earth