Climates

Climates

  • Weather: state of the atmosphere at a given time and place
  • Climates: average weather conditions across a large area over a long period of time

Factors that influence global climates

Latitude

  • Latitude: distance of a place north or south of the equator
  • Latitude is measured as an angle in degrees
  • Areas closer to the equator are warmer
  • The rays shine directly on the earth here, meaning they are concentrated on a smaller area so it’s warmer
  • Further away from the equator the rays shine on the earth at an angle, meaning they are less concentrated so it’s cooler

Distance from the sea

  • The sea take longer to heat and cool than land
  • Areas close to the sea have cooler summers and milder winters

Prevailing winds and air masses

  • Air masses that move over land influence temperature and precipitation

  • The most common winds in an area

  • Ireland’s prevailing wind are south-westerly

  • South-westerly winds

    • Travel over the Atlantic
    • Mild in winter
    • Cooler in the summer
    • Absorb moisture and bring precipitation

  • Northerly and polar winds

    • Cold
    • Come from higher latitudes
    • Can bring snow in winter

  • Southerly winds

    • Warm
    • Come from lower latitudes
    • May bring some rainfall

  • Easterly winds

    • Aka continental winds
    • In summer they are warm
    • In winter they are cold
    • Dry

Factors that influence local climates

Aspect

  • Aspect: direction a slope faces in relation to sun
  • In the Northern hemisphere
    • South facing slopes face the sun and are warmer

Altitude

  • Altitude: height above sea level
  • The higher a place is above sea level the colder is
    • because the air is thinner
  • The temperature drops about 1 degree every 100 meter increase in altitude
  • Upland areas are more exposed to wind
  • Upland areas have more rain

Global climates

Hot climates

  • Found closer to the equator

Equatorial climate

  • Near the equator
  • One season
  • 27 ° average temperature
  • 2500 mm annual precipitation
  • \

Savannah climate

  • Between 5-15° north and south
  • Two seasons
    • Dry
    • 30°
    • Wet
    • 20°
  • 750-1000 mm annual precipitation

Cold climates

  • Located between 15-30° north and south
  • One season
  • 30-50° average temperature
  • 250 mm annual precipitation

Temperate climates

  • Mid latitudes

Cool temperate oceanic

  • Between 40-60° north and south
  • Four seasons
    • Summer
    • 14-20°
    • Winter
    • 5-6°
  • 700-2000 mm annual precipitation

Warm temperate oceanic

  • Between 30-40° north and south
  • Two seasons
    • Summer
    • 20-30°
    • Winter
    • 6-8°
  • 400-700mm annual precipitations

Cold climates

Boreal

  • Located at 55° north and the arctic circle
  • Two seasons
    • Summer
    • 15-20°
    • Winter
    • -15°
  • 200-2000 mm annual precipitation
    • Mostly snow

Tundra

  • Around the poles
  • Two seasons
    • Summer
    • 3-12°
    • Winter
    • -35°
  • 250 mm annual precipitation
    • Mostly snow

Factors influencing Ireland’s climate

Ireland’s climate: cool temperate oceanic

Latitude

  • Ireland’s latitude: 51-56° north of the equator
  • Influences:
    • Temperature
    • Season
    • Daylight
  • During the summer Ireland is tilted towards the sun
    • Longer days
    • Higher temperatures
  • During the winter Ireland is tilted away from the sun
    • Shorter days
    • Cooler temperatures

Distance from sea

  • Oceans and seas heat and cool slower than land
  • Areas closer to the sea have cooler summers and milder winters

Atlantic ocean currents

  • Caused by the unequal heating of the earth
  • North Atlantic drift is a warm ocean currents that keeps temperatures warm and influences rainfall

Prevailing winds

  • South westerly
    • Warm moist air
    • Contributes to high amounts of rainfall

Climate change

Natural causes for climate change

  • Change in ocean current patterns
  • Earth changing obit + tilt
  • Volcanic activity blocking sun

The greenhouse effect and global warming

  • Greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface.
  • It occurs when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun.
  • These gases are called greenhouse gases and include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.
  • Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
  • This increase in greenhouse gases is causing the Earth's temperature to rise, leading to climate change.
  • Climate change can have severe impacts on the environment and human societies.

Causes of global warming

  • Burning of fossil fuels
  • Deforestation
  • Farming

Implications of climate change

  • Rising sea levels
  • Drought => famine => death
  • Desertification
  • Weather patters change
  • Less meltwater => HEP
  • Threat to habitats + animals
  • More wildfires

Global warming and Ireland

  • Average temperatures increase
  • Fewer days of frost
  • Increase in rain
  • Longer growing season

Environmental consequences

  • Rising sea levels
  • More intense + frequent storms
  • Water shortages in summer

Acting on climate change

  • UN set Sustainable development goals