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