Why do we have seasons?

Climate refers to the long-term prevailing

weather conditions in a given area
Four major physical factors are important
components of climate:
1. temperature
2. precipitation
3. sunlight
4. wind

Climate patterns can be described on two

scales:
1. Macroclimate consists of patterns on
the global, regional, and landscape level
2. Microclimate consists of very fine
patterns, such as those encountered by
the community of organisms underneath
a fallen log

Earths atmosphere is warmed by solar

radiation

Global climate patterns are determined

largely by solar energy and the Earths
movement in space
The warming effect of the sun causes
temperature variations, which drive
evaporation and the circulation of air and
water
this causes latitudinal variations in
climate

Earths curved shaped causes latitudinal

variation in sunlight intensity

Earths curved shaped causes latitudinal

variation in sunlight intensity
The angle at which sunlight hits Earth
affects its intensity, the amount of heat
and light per unit of surface area

Atmosphere

90N (North Pole)

Low angle of incoming sunlight

23.5N (Tropic of Cancer)

Sun overhead at equinoxes

0 (Equator)

23.5S (Tropic of Capricorn)

Low angle of incoming sunlight
90S (South Pole)

Latitudinal variation in sunlight intensity

Earths curved shaped causes latitudinal

variation in sunlight intensity
The angle at which sunlight hits Earth
affects its intensity, the amount of heat
and light per unit of surface area
The intensity of sunlight is strongest in the
tropics (between 23.5 north latitude and
23.5 south latitude) where sunlight strikes
Earth most directly

Global air circulation and precipitation

patterns play major roles in determining
climate patterns
66.5N (Arctic Circle)
60 N

30N

Westerlies

30N

Descending
dry air
absorbs
moisture.

Northeast trades
Ascending
moist air
releases
moisture.

Southeast trades
30S

Westerlies
60S

66.5S (Antarctic Circle)

Global air circulation and precipitation patterns

Water evaporates in the tropics, and warm,

wet air masses flow from the tropics toward
the poles

30N

Descending
dry air
absorbs
moisture.
Ascending
moist air
releases
moisture.

Global air circulation and precipitation patterns

Rising air masses release water and cause

high precipitation, especially in the tropics

30N

Descending
dry air
absorbs
moisture.
Ascending
moist air
releases
moisture.

Global air circulation and precipitation patterns

Dry, descending air masses create arid

climates, especially near 30 north and
south

30N

Descending
dry air
absorbs
moisture.
Ascending
moist air
releases
moisture.

Global air circulation and precipitation patterns

At latitudes of 60N and south, the air

masses rise again and release abundant
moisture
66.5N (Arctic Circle)
60N

Westerlies

30N

Northeast trades
0

Southeast trades
30S

Westerlies
60S

66.5S (Antarctic Circle)

Global air circulation and precipitation patterns

Air flowing close to Earths surface creates predictable

global wind patterns
66.5N (Arctic Circle)
60N

Westerlies

30N

Northeast trades
0

Southeast trades
30S

Westerlies
60S

66.5S (Antarctic Circle)

Global air circulation and precipitation patterns

Regional and Local Effects on Climate

Climate is affected by:
1. seasonality
2. large bodies of water
3. mountains

Regional and Local Effects on Climate

Climate is affected by:
1. seasonality
2. large bodies of water
3. mountains

Seasonal variations of light and temperature

increase steadily toward the poles
Seasonality at high latitudes is caused by
the tilt of Earths axis of rotation and its
annual passage around the sun

Figure 52.4

March equinox
December
solstice

June solstice

Constant tilt
of 23.5

60N
30N
0 (equator)
30S
September equinox

Seasonal variations of light and temperature

increase steadily toward the poles
Seasonality at high latitudes is caused by
the tilt of Earths axis of rotation and its
annual passage around the sun
Global changes in day length, solar
radiation, and temperature

The changing angle of the sun over the course of the

year also affects the weather in the tropics (wet vs. dry
seasons)
Atmosphere

90N (North Pole)

Low angle of incoming sunlight

23.5N (Tropic of Cancer)
Sun overhead at equinoxes

0 (Equator)
23.5S (Tropic of Capricorn)

Low angle of incoming sunlight

90S (South Pole)

Latitudinal variation in sunlight intensity

Regional and Local Effects on Climate

Climate is affected by:
1. seasonality
2. large bodies of water
3. mountains

The maritime effect: oceans, their currents,

and large lakes moderate the climate of
nearby terrestrial environments
Water has a high-specific heat (for now, it
requires a lot of energy to change the
temperature of water)

1 Cool air flow

Mountain
range

Ocean

Currents flowing toward the equator carry cold water

from the poles; currents flowing away from the equator
carry warm water toward the poles
Labrador
Current

California Current
30N

Gulf
Stream

North Pacific
Subtropical Gyre

North Atlantic
Subtropical
Gyre

Equator
Indian
Ocean
Subtropical
Gyre

Antarctic Circumpolar Current

30S

South Pacific
Subtropical Gyre

South
Atlantic
Subtropical
Gyre

Regional and Local Effects on Climate

Climate is affected by:
1. seasonality
2. large bodies of water
3. mountains

Mountains can affect regional climate

East

West

Rising air releases moisture on the windward side of a

peak and creates a rain shadow as it absorbs
moisture on the leeward side
2 Precipitation
3 Rain shadow
1 Cool air flow

Leeward side
of mountains
Mountain
range

Ocean

In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing slopes receive more sunlight

than north-facing slopes

Every 1,000 m increase in elevation produces a temperature drop of

approximately 6C

Microclimate is determined by fine-scale

differences in the environment that affect
light
and wind patterns
Many characteristics of the environment
can alter the microclimate by casting
shade, altering evaporation from the soil,
or changing wind patterns

Every environment is characterized by

differences in:
Abiotic factors, including nonliving
attributes such as temperature, light,
water, and nutrients
Biotic factors, including other
organisms that are part of an
individuals environment