WEATHER, WEATHER,

CLIMATE, &CLIMATE, &

ATMOSPHEREATMOSPHERE

Earth’s Relationship with the Earth’s Relationship with the SunSun

Most of the Earth’s energy comes from the Most of the Earth’s energy comes from the Sun.Sun.

This type of energy is called This type of energy is called solar energysolar energy. . Solar energy reaches Earth in two ways:Solar energy reaches Earth in two ways:

1.1. LightLight2.2. HeatHeat

What are some ways solar energy affects What are some ways solar energy affects things here on Earth?things here on Earth?

– The clothes we wear, the homes we live in, the The clothes we wear, the homes we live in, the foods we grow & eat, and which sports we playfoods we grow & eat, and which sports we play

Earth’s Relationship with the Earth’s Relationship with the Sun (Continued)Sun (Continued)

Three different Three different relationships relationships between Earth and between Earth and the sun control how the sun control how much solar energy much solar energy is received at is received at different locations:different locations:

1.1. RotationRotation2.2. RevolutionRevolution3.3. TiltTilt

Rotation, Revolution, & TiltRotation, Revolution, & Tilt RotationRotation – the Earth rotates on its axis – the Earth rotates on its axis

every 24 hours. This causes night and day.every 24 hours. This causes night and day. RevolutionRevolution – the Earth revolves around – the Earth revolves around

the sun every year (365 ¼ days).the sun every year (365 ¼ days). TiltTilt – the Earth is tilted 23 1/2 – the Earth is tilted 23 1/2˚̊. The tilt of . The tilt of

the earth’s axis determines the amount of the earth’s axis determines the amount of solar energy that different places receive solar energy that different places receive during the year.during the year.

Solar Energy & LatitudeSolar Energy & Latitude Different places on Earth receive different Different places on Earth receive different

amounts of energy.amounts of energy. Tropics – areas near the equator receive a lot Tropics – areas near the equator receive a lot

of solar energy and are warm all year. The of solar energy and are warm all year. The tropics are in the low-latitudes.tropics are in the low-latitudes.

Polar regions – areas at the high latitudes that Polar regions – areas at the high latitudes that receive very little sun and are cold most of receive very little sun and are cold most of the time.the time.

Middle latitudes – are the areas between the Middle latitudes – are the areas between the polar regions and the tropics. Temperatures polar regions and the tropics. Temperatures vary depending on the time of year.vary depending on the time of year.

The SeasonsThe Seasons Season – the time of greater or Season – the time of greater or

lesser heat.lesser heat. 4 total – summer, fall, winter, 4 total – summer, fall, winter,

and springand spring– Summer – daytime lasts longer Summer – daytime lasts longer

and the sun’s energy is stronger.and the sun’s energy is stronger.– Fall & Spring – daylight & Fall & Spring – daylight &

darkness are equal in length and darkness are equal in length and the Sun’s energy is more evenly the Sun’s energy is more evenly distributeddistributed

The tilt of the Earth’s axis The tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the Northern & Southern causes the Northern & Southern hemispheres to have opposite hemispheres to have opposite seasons at the same time of seasons at the same time of year.year.

SolsticeSolstice Occurs twice in a Occurs twice in a

yearyear– June 21June 21stst - summer - summer

– the longest day of – the longest day of yearyear

– December 21December 21stst - - winter – the winter – the shortest day of the shortest day of the yearyear

Earth’s poles tilt Earth’s poles tilt toward or away toward or away from the sun.from the sun.

EQUINOXEQUINOX Days and nights Days and nights

are equal are equal The direct rays of The direct rays of

the sun strike the the sun strike the equator.equator.

Sept 22 – Fall Sept 22 – Fall March 21 – springMarch 21 – spring

Difference between Weather Difference between Weather & Climate& Climate

WeatherWeather – – conditions in the conditions in the atmosphere atmosphere from day to day.from day to day.

ClimateClimate – – conditions in conditions in the the atmosphere atmosphere over a long over a long period of period of time. Ex. -time. Ex. -Tropical Rain Tropical Rain forestforest

Air pressureAir pressure Low pressure Low pressure

– warm air - expands & rises warm air - expands & rises – Unstable (front) Unstable (front) – Found from 60Found from 60N of the N of the

equator to 60equator to 60S of the equator S of the equator High pressure High pressure

– cold aircold air– heavy & dense – it sinks heavy & dense – it sinks – STABLESTABLE– Found from 30Found from 30-90-90 north & north &

south of the equator south of the equator

                                                                

                          

WEATHER MAP

WINDSWINDSUS – westerlies – US – westerlies – west to east west to east

AtmosphereAtmosphereAir that surrounds Air that surrounds the earththe earth

GLOBAL GLOBAL CLIMATESCLIMATES

Classified by precipitation Classified by precipitation , temperature, & , temperature, & vegetation vegetation

LATITUDE – most LATITUDE – most influence influence

                                                                              

            

LOW LATITUDELOW LATITUDE

DesertDesertSavannaSavannaRainforestRainforeststeppesteppe

                                                  

         

                                                   

         

Middle LatitudeMiddle LatitudeMarine West CoastMarine West CoastHumid continentalHumid continentalMediterraneanMediterraneanHumid subtropicalHumid subtropical

                                                   

         

HC – only 1 that has 4 seasons

High latitudeHigh latitudeIcecapIcecapSubarcticSubarcticTundraTundraHighland Highland

TUNDRA