4-1 The Role of Climate

Weather: day-to-day condition at a particular place and time
Climate: average, year-after-year conditions in a region

Green House Effect: CO2, Methane, H2O vapor and other gases trap heat energy in the atmosphere.

The Effect of Latitude on Climate: Solar radiation strikes different parts of the Earth's surfaces at different angles.
This also causes SEASONS

3 main climate zones:

Polar = cold areas
Temperate = hot to cold seasons
Tropical = direct sunlight, always warm

Q: How is heat transported in the biosphere?
A: Wind and Ocean Currents

Wind currents: air is heated near the equator and rises, reaches the cooler atmosphere and sinks back to land.
(This creates a wind current. See Figure 4-3, page 89)

Water Currents: Cold water near the poles sink, warm water near the equator rises. This creates a circular pattern of movement. (see page 89)