Climate

Weather is the condition of temperature, precipitation, wind and sunshine at any moment

Climate is the average weather over a long period of time

Ireland’s weather can change from day to day – however Ireland’s climate is Cool Temperate Oceanic

Factors that influence climate

• Latitude – distance from the equator. Sunlight strikes the equator directly – making it very hot there. The farther you are from the equator, the cooler it gets.

• Ireland is approximately 55 degrees from the Equator – The Poles are at 90 degrees.

Factors that influence climate

• Distance from the sea – the sea evens out the extremes in climate – it makes winters milder and summers cooler. Places far from the sea have hot summers and very cold winters.

• Ireland is surrounded by sea – this gives us warmer winters and cooler summers than inland areas at the same latitude

Factors that influence climate

• Prevailing Wind and Ocean Currents – The winds that blow most often over an area (prevailing) can be cool or warm and influence climate.

• The prevailing wind over Ireland comes from the South West, bringing milder temperatures and moisture.

• Ireland is kept warm by ocean currents from the South West.

Local Climates

• This refers to variations in climate within larger regional climates. For example, Kilkenny is Ireland’s hottest area in summer. Why?

Aspect and Altitude

• Aspect – The direction a slope faces in relation to the sun’s rays. If a slope is south facing it will get more sunlight.

• Altitude – height above sea level. The higher you go the colder it gets (which is why mountaintops have snow on them)

Natural regions and climates

• A Natural Region = an area of the world that has its own unique characteristics. These include:• Climate

• Natural Vegetation

• Wildlife

• Human Activities

There are three basic climate regions: Hot, Temperate and Cold

Hot Climates

• Hot Climates are found close to the equator (between 30 degrees North Latitude and 30 degrees South Latitude)

• The three types of hot climates are • Desert

• Equatorial (also called tropical)

• Savanna

Equatorial/Tropical

Savanna

Desert

Vegetation and Animals in Deserts

Animals like the camel adapt to the heat by storing fat in their humps, having thick eyelashes to protect against dust and thick lips to eat prickly plants

Plants like the cactus have needles to protect against animals, deep roots to find groundwater and a thick, waxy bark to protect against the sun’s heat

Desertification – turning land into desert

• This affects areas close to deserts – such as the Sahel, a region close to the Sahara desert

• Causes of Desertification• Climate Change

• Overgrazing by farmers

• Deforestation and shrub removal

Results of Desertification

• Famine – people die from starvation

• Mass migration – people leave desertified areas in search of a better life

• Loss of jobs in agriculture

• Loss of towns and villages to the desert

Solutions

• Plant trees – tree roots hold the soil together and stop it being blown away

• Plant drought resistant grass

• Dig deep wells for water

• Farm with different animal species

• Tackle global warming

Temperate Climates

• Temperate = moderate climates, not too hot and not too cold

• Two Types:• Warm Temperate Oceanic – also called Mediterranean climates. Hot

summers and mild winters

• Cool Temperate Oceanic – cool winters and mild summers. Ireland has this climate.

Characteristics of Mediterranean Climate

• Vegetation – trees absorb moisture in the winter, have thick bark for protection and are widely spaced. Herbs and heather dominate in treeless areas.

• Landscape – changed by overgrazing and farming. Many crops are grown to support the tourist industry.

Cold or “boreal” Climates

• Found in high latitudes in North America, Europe and Asia.

• Two types:• Tundra – means “without trees” – close to the north pole

• Boreal – means “northern” – further south, cold but has trees and vegetation.

Boreal Climate

• Short, cool summers and long, cold winters

• Long days in summer – almost no daylight in winter!

• Little Precipitation – less than 400mm, mostly snow.

• Mostly coniferous trees as vegetation

Vegetation and Wildlife

• Coniferous (evergreen) trees with shallow roots to avoid permafrost

• Needle leaves to prevent moisture loss – cone shape to help snow drop off

• Wildlife (such as bears) practice hibernation and are well insulated by fur. Many migrate south in Winter

People in Boreal Regions

• Very few people live in Boreal Regions

• In times past many would be travelling herders – today many of them live in urban areas

• Many work in Forestry and Mining – examples of _____________ economic activity.

2012 Higher Level Question

2014 Junior Cert (Higher Level)