WEATHER AND CLIMATE (TIEMPO Y CLIMA)

1- WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Weather: the atmospheric conditions at a specific moment

Climate: the typical atmosphere conditions in an area over a long period of time.

Atmospheric conditions

Temperature is the amount of heat in the atmosphere.

We use a thermometer

Precipitation is the water that falls as rain, snow or hail

We use a pluviometer or rain gauge

Wind is the movement of air in the atmosphere

We use a weather vane to check the winds direction

We use an anemometer to measure the velocity of wind

Atmospheric pressure is caused by the weight of the air in the atmosphere

We use a barometer to measure the pressure:

When there is more air, the pressure increases and the weather is fair and stable

When there is less air, the pressure decreases and the weather is cloudy and unstable.

Factors that influence climate

-

Latitude:
Climate zones near the Equator are warm. The sun shines more on them, so they got more heat and light

Distance from bodies of water: water takes a longer time to heat or to cool than land. In coastal areas summers are cooler and
winter are milder. In inland regions the summers are hotter and the winters are colder.

Altitude: high places are usually colder and wetter

2- The Earths climate zones

3 general categories:

Hot ( torrid) climates

Equatorial climates: have high temperatures and lots of precipitation

Tropical climates: high temperatures . Lots of precipitation in the summer and the weather is dry in winter

Desert: very little precipitation. They can have very extreme temperatures

Temperate climates

Oceanic climates: mild temperatures, lots of precipitation especially in winter.

Mediterranean climates: mild winters and hot summers. Rains in spring and autumn and summers are dry

Continental climates: cold winters and hot summers. Little precipitations.

Cold climates:

Mountain climates: cold , more precipitation at high altitudes

Polar climates : very low temperatures, very little precipitation ( snow)

3- Climate zones in Spain

Oceanic climate

Temperatures mild

lots of precipitation

winters arent very cold

summers are cool

Subtropical climate

Temperatures high

there isnt a lot of precipitation

Mountain climate

Winters are cold

summers are mild

there is lots of precipitation (snow)

Continental Mediterranean climate

Temperatures extreme

very cold winters

very hot summers

not much rain but it often snows

Mediterranean climate
Summers are hot

winters are mild

4- Climate change

Its caused by an increase in the Earths temperature

there isnt a lot of precipitation (torrential rains)

The Earths climate is changing

Causes

An increase in waste gases: carbon dioxide

Consequences:

Higher sea levels

more severe weather

drought

extinction

5- Climate and natural disasters

Strong winds

A hurricane

torrential rains

a tornado

Strong winds: cause serious damage to buildings and trees

A tornado: column of air that comes from a storm cloud and rotates violently

droughts

high temperatures

Torrential rains: can cause dangerous floods

Droughts are long periods of time with little or no rain

High temperatures can cause fires