Geo: Chapter Three, Section One
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The document discusses the causes of seasons and weather patterns around the world. It explains that the Earth's 23.5 degree tilt and revolution around the sun cause the seasons as different parts of the Earth experience more or less direct sunlight throughout the year. It also defines key weather terminology like climate, weather, precipitation types, and extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, droughts, and floods. Seasons and weather are influenced by many atmospheric and environmental factors.
Geo: Chapter Three, Section One
- 1. Chapter Three, Section One Seasons and Weather
- 2. What causes the changing seasons? Earth revolves around sun Earth’s tilt (23.5 degree angle) allows a more direct line to sun’s rays As Earth continues to move, location becomes either further or closer to direct line with sun Amount of sun affects atmospheric pressure, temperature, rainfall, hence we have our distinct seasons
- 3. Where are the tropics? Tropic of Cancer - northern tropic Tropic of Capricorn - southern tropic Solstice : the day on which sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at either Tropic Summer solstice--longest day of year Winter solstice--shortest day of year (depending on where you live) Equinox : biannual times when days and night all over the world are equal in length Equinoxes mark the beginning of spring and autumn
- 4. What is the difference between weather and climate? Weather : condition of atmosphere at a particular location and time Climate : term for weather conditions at a particular location over a long period of time
- 5. What causes weather? Many conditions affect weather: Amount of solar energy Water vapor: cause precipitation Cloud cover: hold water vapor Landforms and bodies of water Elevation: as increase, air is thinner, less able to hold moisture Air movement: winds
- 6. Is all Precipitation the same? NO, DUH!!!! 1) Convectional: characteristic to hot climates; morning sunshine heats warm moist air; clouds form in afternoon, rain falls 2) Orographic: characteristic of mountain areas; storms drop rain on windward side of mountain, creates rain shadow on leeward (opposite) side; the rain shadow effect 3) Frontal: characteristic of mid-latitude frontal storms; cold dense air push lighter warmer air upward, causing precipitation to form
- 8. Hurricanes Storms that form over warm, tropical ocean waters Also called: in Asia - typhoons; in Australia - tropical cyclones, willy-willies; in the Philippines - baguios; in Mexico - chubascos Places where ocean water temperature is 80 degrees or higher, huge amounts of moisture and heat energy is picked up. Water-laden (or filled) winds flow into core, or “eye” The “eye” can be 10 to 20 miles across and has clear, calm skies Winds around eye can be as strong as 200 miles per hour Clouds and winds can stretch over large areas, up to 500 miles Low-lying coastal areas are vulnerable
- 9. Tornadoes Form quickly, without warning Also known as a twister, powerful funnel-shaped column of spiraling air Cold, dry air collides with warm, moist air Winds swirl counter-clockwise around low-pressure center Winds may read 300 mph Usually flat plain areas are vulnerable Tornado Alley: midwest US
- 10. Blizzards Common in Senegal, chuckle, chuckle Heavy snowstorm with high winds (35 mph) Some parts of US are frequently hit with snowstorms - snowbelts around Great Lakes
- 11. Droughts Long period of time without rain or with very minimal rainfall 1930s in US --dust bowl
- 12. Floods Water spreads over land not normally covered Can be from melting snow, rainwater filling small streams, overflowing rivers
- 13. Chapter 3, Section 1 What did we learn? Now: video time Homework: 1) blog 2) pre-reading for Tuesday: page 54 - 58 3) worksheets: page 8 and 9