a - Climate and Biomes - Climate Notes

Climate vs. Weather

Climate: Long-term averages and weather patterns.
Weather: Conditions on any given day.

Factors Controlling Global Climate Distributions

  1. Solar radiation: Primary influence on surface temperature.

  2. Wind: Affects temperature and moisture distribution.

  3. Ocean currents: Affects temperature and moisture distribution.

  4. Land topography: Influences regional climate.

Solar Radiation

Amount of energy from the sun that reaches the Earth.
Hotter temperatures occur around the Equator, cooler temperatures toward the poles.

Earth's Tilt

Axis tilts at 23.5 degrees, driving seasonal climate patterns.

Global Heat Transfer

Heat transferred toward the poles by winds and ocean currents.
Warm air rises, cools, and travels toward the poles, then sinks back toward the surface.

Hadley Cells

Rising air close to the Equator cools and cycles to 25-30 degrees latitude, creating large atmospheric conditions called Hadley cells.

Coriolis Effect

Winds deflect due to the Earth's rotation.
Winds pushing toward the north move east; winds traveling southward move west.

Ocean Circulation Patterns

Oceans cover 70% of the Earth's surface.
Water carries more heat than air, making ocean currents integral to heat movement.

Coastal Currents

California Current: Flows north to south, driving colder waters toward Mexico.
Gulf Stream: Transfers warmer waters from the Caribbean to the East Coast of Canada and Europe.

Moisture Distribution

Air temperature affects moisture distribution: warm air holds more water vapor than cold air.
As warm air ascends and cools, moisture condenses into rainfall.

Land Topography

Influences distribution and moisture content of air masses.

Rain Shadow Effect

Prevailing winds pick up moisture and are forced upward by mountains, cooling and releasing rain on the windward side.
On the leeward side, air descends, warms, and absorbs moisture, creating a rain shadow.