Weather and Climate Notes

Climate and Influencing Factors

• Definition of Climate:
  • Climate is the average condition of the atmosphere over a long period of time.
• Key Atmospheric Conditions Comprising Climate:
  • Average Temperature: The long-term typical heat measurements of an area.
  • Average Precipitation: The standard moisture or rainfall received over extended durations.
  • Seasonal Variation: The amount of change observed from one season to another.
• Four Factors That Affect a Region's Climate:
  • Latitude: The geographical distance north or south of the equator.
  • Elevation: The height of a location relative to sea level.
  • Prevailing Winds:
    • Defined as winds that usually blow in one direction.
    • Characterized specifically as the winds that blow most of the time across a given region.
  • Ocean Currents: Massive systems of circulating water that regulate and influence continental and coastal climates.

Weather Characteristics and Atmospheric Humidity

• Definition of Weather:
  • Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time.
• Core Atmospheric Elements Included in Weather:
  • Temperature: The instantaneous thermal state of the atmosphere.
  • Precipitation: Any form of water falling from the sky at a given moment.
  • Humidity:
    • Defined specifically as the amount of water vapor in the air.

Atmospheric Dynamics and Causes of Weather Change

• Mechanism Driving Weather Changes:
  • Weather changes primarily because of the movement and presence of air masses.
• Air Masses:
  • An air mass is a large body of air that possesses consistent physical properties throughout, specifically sharing the same temperature and humidity.
• Fronts:
  • A front is defined as the boundary between two air masses.