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Energy, Environment and Climate
Lab 6
Climate Evaluation
Please refer to your notes, book, atlas or Google Earth (if necessary) and the explanation below to help you to understand the component of climate.
Explanation
A Climograph shows annual temperature and precipitation patterns for a given location. The connected dots depict temperature while the bar graph depicts precipitation. Along the bottom of the climograph each month is noted. Please look for trends in each meteorological variable. For example, does the temperature exhibit continental, drastic changes from summer and winter temperatures or a marine, which exhibits a more moderate change in temperature between summer and winter. Also, note whether precipitation is either consistent or is there a defined wet or dry season. Pressure systems and air masses are a major contributor to climate at a given location along with latitude which controls the amount of annual insolation(intercepted solar radiation) received at a given location. Proximity to the ocean and if the location is continental in nature also have major implications for climate. Altitude has an impact in
that as altitude increases temperatures decrease on an annual basis. Finally, warm ocean currents are found on the eastern sides of continents allowing for greater water vapor and, therefore, greater precipitation. Cold ocean currents exist on the western sides of all continents and account for lower water vapor values and, therefore, less precipitation
on an annual basis.
Climate results from the physical interaction between Earth’s atmosphere, water bodies, ice cover, and land surface configuration. Controls on climate are latitude, a location’s proximity to land and water, geographic position and prevailing winds, mountains and highlands, ocean currents and pressure and wind systems around the world.
Latitude is the most important control on seasonal temperature variation. Higher latitudes(from around 55-90 N and S) exhibit much more in the way of seasonal changes between winter and summer as the change in the amount of insolation is highly variable. These latitudes have annual insolation deficits and need the receipt of energy from lower latitudes to balance the annual energy budget. Such locations are often ice covered which increases the percent of albedo(percent reflectivity of a given surface; high albedo means high reflectivity such as fresh snow) leading to a lack of warming at the surface keeping the air temperatures colder. Conversely, lower latitudes(from around 35 N to 35 S) receive much more in the way of insolation on an annual basis and experience little change in seasonality between summer and winter. Often, these locations here very near the equator (0 degrees latitude) have no winter but are marked by a wet and dry seasonality. These lower latitudes, since they experience a net surplus in insolation on an annual basis, transport significant quantities of energy towards the higher latitudes in each hemisphere resulting in a balance of insolation on an annual basis. Mid-latitudes(around 35-55 N and S) exhibit a marked seasonality and receive energy from lower latitudes as such locations have a deficit of annual insolation. The deficit is
not as great as that of higher latitudes. Higher latitudes experience significant changes in the amount of daylight hours and angle of the sun rays than that of lower and mid-latitudes. Higher latitudes experience less direct sunlight, therefore, less insolation and lower temperatures. The opposite is found at lower and mid-latitudes, respectively.
Land and water physical properties greatly influence the annual insolation budget at any given location. Land heats and cools more rapidly than that of water. Land has a low specific heat capacity, does not effectively transport energy
as it is a solid medium and leads to vast changes of temperature between summer and winter. Whereas water has a high specific heat capacity, effectively transports energy to far away locations around the world and moderates air temperatures leading to less change between summer and winter and marine locations around the world. Continentality is associated with locations far from major water bodies, maritime is associated with locations in close proximity to major water bodies. Continental locations have strong seasonality, marine locations have much less seasonality. Marine locations have cooler summers and warmer winters with the opposite
true for continental locations. Even at higher latitudes maritime locations will reflect much more moderate annual temperature patterns than would be expected whereas locations at similar latitudes that are continental in nature will reflect significant seasonality. Often, high latitude locations of marine nature will actually exhibit less seasonality than that of mid-latitude locations that are continental in nature even though such locations receive more direct sunlight and longer daylight hours. Thus the significance of the specific heat capacity of water is vividly expressed in such instances. The warmest annual air temperatures are found in low latitude continental dominated regions with the coldest found in high latitude continental locations.
Geographic position and prevailing winds affect climates. If winds come from the ocean they moderate temperatures whereas if they come from the land they fail to moderate but bring extreme temperatures. The typical maritime climate occurs when a site is on the windward side of a continent. Even if a location is on the ocean coast, if the winds come from the land in the winter such locations will exhibit a more continental temperature pattern. In the spring, continental winds from the south can quickly warm up a mid-latitude location in the northern hemisphere or if in the autumn can rapidly cool such a location as such winds will come from the north.
Mountains often significantly modify airflow. In the mid-latitudes, where westerly winds predominate, mountain ranges
that are oriented in a north-south direction affect the temperature and moisture characteristics of air flowing over them. Rising air on the windward side of a mountain range cools as it rises producing clouds and precipitation. As the
air descends on the leeward side of the mountain it warms up leading to cloudless skies, warmer temperatures and drier air. For example, in western Washington state it is much wetter and cooler than that of the eastern portion of the
state.
Ocean currents result from the general circulation of the atmosphere and, like atmospheric circulation, serve to distribute energy across latitudes bringing much needed energy to higher and mid-latitudes and effectively relieving lower latitudes of excess annual energy, respectively. Such as the Gulf Stream on the eastern side of the North American continent which transports warm waters up the coast and across the Atlantic Ocean to western Europe keeping this region much warmer than would be expected with its relatively higher latitude position in comparison to continental United States. Warm ocean currents are found on the east coasts of continents in the mid-latitudes and cool ocean currents on the west coasts. Cool ocean currents keep locations cooler than would be expected for such mid-latitude locations. For example, San Diego, California is cooler than Charleston, South Carolina even though each location is at a similar latitude. Charleston will be more humid and warmer in the summer with frequent thunderstorms whereas San Diego experiences rainfall, cooler temperatures and cloudless skies. Warm ocean currents lead to higher air temperature, more water vapor in the atmosphere, more cloud cover, less change in daily temperature between day and night and more precipitation. The opposite is true for cold ocean current locations.
Global pressure and wind patterns strongly influence climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation. The large High and Low pressure systems migrate annually within a latitudinal range of between 10 and 20 degrees around the world. High pressure leads to drier, less cloudy, fair weather conditions whereas Low pressure leads to wetter, more clouds and stormy conditions. Such pressure systems are found across all latitudes. They are present at
different times of the year and remain for varying times, too. Subtropical High pressure leads to the hot, dry, cloudless
conditions in the low latitudes and moving into the mid-latitudes from time to time in the summer. Heat waves in the mid-latitudes are the result of such pressure conditions. In the tropics such pressure systems will briefly migrate out to be replaced by the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which is a Low pressure system that brings clouds, rain and somewhat cooler temperatures. This pressure system is found in close proximity to the equator and moves north in the northern hemisphere summer and south in the southern hemisphere summer. It leads to the rainforest regions in South America, Africa and Asia. The prevailing winds coming from the Subtropical High in each hemisphere come together to form the rising tropical air that creates the ITCZ. The high latitudes and midlatitudes experience the Polar High pressure cell in the autumn, winter and early spring. Cold, dry, cloudless conditions prevail.
Record low temperatures associated with such a pressure system are common in the winter. Clear, cloudless conditions with significantly cold temperatures in such latitudes are the result of this pressure system that is not prominent in the summer months. The prevailing winds moving southward from this pressure system collide with the northward moving winds from the Subtropical High to create a zone of
storming weather of rising air, the Polar Front Zone which is Low pressure. Such brings the outbreak of stormy weather to the mid-latitudes in the form of thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes and/or periods of beneficial rains for agriculture in such locations. The Polar Front Zone is not prominent in the summer as the Polar High is lacking because of the warmer temperatures at higher latitudes due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. Sinking
air is found about High pressure cells whereas rising air is found about Low pressure cells. Rising air leads to clouds and the possibility of precipitation whereas sinking air leads to a lack of clouds and the suppression of precipitation. High pressure can lead to very hot temperatures with the Subtropical High or very cold temperatures with the Polar High. Warm, tropical-like temperatures with heavy precipitation is indicative of the Low pressure, ITCZ, whereas low intensity rainfall, although at times precipitation can be heavy, with the Polar Front Zone accompanied with cool to cold temperatures.
Please see the figure below for the specific High and Low pressure systems(cells). These pressure cells migrate annually due to the changing angle of the sunlight. Latitude values are listed on the left side of the diagram. Please study this diagram noting the places where air is rising from the surface and where it is descending to the surface. Ascending air leads to precipitation most often and descending air leads to dry conditions most often around the world. Low pressure is associated with rising air. High pressure is associated with descending air.
When answering the questions in this lab you must be specific in which High and Low pressure system; Subtropical High, Polar High, Polar Low, Intertropical Convergence Zone(ITC or ITCZ)- Low pressure. When asked about a specific location in relation to such pressure systems please make sure to note its latitude and find which pressure system would be influencing this location using the diagram.
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Please click on this link for the following questions:
https://www.climate-charts.com/World-Climate-Index-Map.html
or
https://www.climate-charts.com/world-index.html
1.
Please select Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on the Climographs page.
A.
What is the latitude?
Latitude is 49.18. B.
Describe the nature of precipitation (in terms of wet, dry or consistent precipitation and/or when precipitation is most prominent).
The wet season is in November and lasts until January. There is almost no precipitation in the months of June to August.
C.
Describe the temperature pattern.
High temperatures can be noticed from late June to August while lower temperatures can be seen from December to February. D.
Does elevation explain the nature of the temperature pattern here?
Temperature can be affected by elevation, however it shows that temperature is more likely affected by the rising and setting of the sun, in which May to August has greater daylight hours observed. 2.
Please select Yap Caroline Island USA.
a. Describe the temperature pattern.
The temperature pattern throughout the year does not vary significantly for every month. The temperature pattern is warm and humid year-round with some slight variations in temperature through the
year. b. What months are wettest?
The wettest months are May, July, and October.
c. What type of air mass, continental or oceanic dominate this location?
This area is mostly dominated with oceanic air mass since it has warm and humid conditions year-round.
d. What pressure system is leading to a period of drier conditions?
A high-pressure system can cause a period of drier conditions. e. List two reasons this location has a very consistent temperature pattern throughout the year.
Two possible reasons this location has a very consistent temperature pattern throughout the year is the proximity to the equator, and the influence of ocean patterns. 3.
Please select Miami, FL.
A.
Does this location have a marked dry season? If so, what months are considered dry?
This location has a tropical monsoon climate which means it has distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season usually happens from November through April. B.
Describe the temperature pattern.
This location has a warm and humid climate throughout the year. The temperature pattern in Miami follows a seasonal variation of warm temperatures all year round. C.
What is the annual range of temperature (the highest monthly temp. minus the lowest monthly temp)?
The annual range of temperatures in Miami is 20-25 degrees. (Aug 88.4 deg F - Jan 63.1 deg F =
25 deg F)
D.
Please list two reasons that Miami is one of the warmest locations is the lower 48 states.
Two reasons Miami is one of the warmest locations is the location (southernmost part of Florida and closer to the equator,) and Humidity. 4.
Please select Phoenix, AZ.
A.
What is its annual temperature range?
The annual temperature is about 105-110 degrees F. B.
What month is the temperature the greatest?
July = 105.8deg F
C.
What month is the temperature least?
December = 44.8deg F
D.
Describe the precipitation pattern.
Phoenix has a lot of annual precipitation, a vast amount of the year is dry. Phoenix Arizona is known for its dry arid desert climate. E.
Is it warmer here or in Miami, FL?
Miami, Florida is warmer than Phoenix, Arizona through the year. This is due to the fact that Miami has a tropical climate.
F.
Why is Phoenix drier than Miami?
Phoenix is drier than Miami mainly due to the geographical differences in their locations and climate types.
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5.
Please select Azua, Dominican Republic.
A.
Briefly study its temperature pattern. Now, please select Barrow, Alaska’s climate graph.
B.
What is the difference between the two?
The difference is that there is a very different temperature pattern. Barrow has a polar climate, and the average temperature is below freezing. C.
Why this difference?
The difference is mainly due to their latitudes. Azua is located in the tropics, while Barrow is located in the arctic region. D.
What is the latitude of each?
The latitude of Azua is 18.5 degrees North. The latitude of Barrow is 71.3 degrees North. E.
Which location is wetter and why?
Azua is wetter than Barrow because it is located in the tropics where there is a lot of moisture in the air.
F.
Does Barrow have a marked (obvious) dry season?
Barrow does not have an obvious dry season as it has relatively low levels of precipitation throughout the year. G.
What pressure system is leading to the precipitation in Azua?
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which is a low-pressure system. H.
How does the difference in daylight hours during the winter season explain the difference in the temperature patterns between the selected locations?
The difference in daylight hours during the winter season explains the temperature patterns between the two locations. Barrow is located in the arctic region and experiences very few hours of daylight during winter. Azua, located in the tropics, experiences relatively consistent daylight hours through the year, which results in a more consistent temperature region. 6.
Please select Tessalit, Mali.
A.
Briefly study its precipitation pattern. Now select the Akola, India climograph.
B.
What is the difference between the two?
Akola, India shows a tropical wet and dry climate with a wet season throughout the summer. Tessalit shows a hot desert climate with little rainfall throughout the year.
C.
Why this difference?
The difference is mainly due to their geographical location. Tessalit is in the Sahara desert while Akola is in the central part of India, close to the Tropic of Cancer. D.
What is the latitude of each?
Tessalit is latitude 20.1987 degrees N. Akola is latitude 20.7059 degrees N. E.
Which location is wetter and why?
Akola is wetter than Tessalit due to its location closer to the monsoon winds. This brings more moisture to the region during the summer months. F.
What phenomena is leading to the marked wet season in Akola, India?
The marked wet season is due to monsoon winds that bring moist air from the Indian ocean and the Bay of Bengal to the region. G.
Do both locations have their wet seasons during the same time of the year?
No, both locations have their wet seasons during different times of the year. Tessalit receives most rainfall in July and August, while Akola receives most rainfall in June to September. H.
Why are temperatures in Akola cooler in July than would be expected of a Northern Hemisphere location(most all N.Hem. locations have their highest temperatures in July)?
The temperatures in Akola are cooler in July due to the monsoon winds bringing clouds and rain into the region which can lower the temperature.
I.
Why is Tessalit hotter in the summer than Akola?
Tessalit is hotter in the summer due to its location in the sahara desert, which receives more direct sunlight and has very little cloud cover.
7.
Please select Alexander Bay, South Africa and briefly study the climograph.
A.
Now select Durban, South Africa (on the opposite coast of southern Africa) and briefly study its climograph.
B.
What are some significant differences between the two locations?
The two locations differ significantly in terms of climate. Alexander Bay has a desert climate while
Durban has a humid subtropical climate. C.
What explains this difference in values?
D.
Is there a significant difference in the two locations’ temperature patterns?
The two locations differ in their temperature patterns. Durban has a higher than average temperature over Alexander Bay. E.
What explains this difference?
The difference in climate and temperature patterns between the locations is because of their latitude, proximity to oceans, and prevailing winds. F.
What is the latitude of each location?
Latitude of Alexander Bay is 28.57 degrees S, the latitude of Durban is 29.87 degrees S. 8.
Please select Irkutsk, Russia and Bintulu, Malaysia (located at/very near the equator in Southern Asia).
A.
What is the latitude of each?
Latitude of Irkutsk, Russia is 52.27 degrees and the latitude of Bintulu, Malaysia is 3.2 degrees. B.
Which location exhibits the greatest sense of seasonality? Why?
Irkutsk, Russia exhibits a greater sense of seasonality. The temperature range is quite significant compared to Bintulu. C.
Please list two reasons that explain the temperature pattern of Bintulu.
Two reasons to explain the temperature pattern are Latitude and Maritime influence. D.
Please list two reasons for the precipitation pattern at Irkutsk.
Two reasons for the precipitation pattern in Irkutsk is continental climate, and topography. 9.
Please select Essaouira, Morocco and Shanghai, China.
A.
Please list the latitude of each location.
Essaouira, Morocco - Latitude 31.52 degrees. Shanghai, China - Latitude 31.17 degrees. B.
Why are the temperature and precipitation patterns different between the two aforementioned locations?
The temperature and precipitation patterns are different because of their geographic and climatic factors. C.
What pressure system(s) leads to the lack of precipitation at Essaouira?
The lack of precipitation can be a reason for several pressure systems that influence the region. D.
What pressure system(s) leads to the rainfall pattern in Shanghai?
The rainfall pattern is influenced by several pressure systems that affect the region. During the winter months the Siberian high is the main system that affects the region. E.
Is there a difference in daylight patterns on an annual basis between these locations, why or why not?
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Yes, Essaouira is located closer to the equator and experiences less variation in day length throughout the year. F.
What type of ocean current is found off the coast of Eassaouira?
The Canary current. G.
What type of ocean current is found off the coast of Shanghai?
The Kuroshio current. H.
How do ocean currents influence the climate graphs for these selected locations?
Ocean currents play an important role in shaping the climate by influencing important factors such
as temperature, humidity, and precipitation patterns. I.
Finally, why does the temperature pattern at Essaouira exhibit less annual variability than that of Shanghai?
The temperature pattern exhibits less annual variability due to ocean currents, latitude, and elevation. 10.
Please select Dakar, Senegal and Rome, Italy.
A.
What pressure system causes the rainy season in Dakar?
The rainy season is caused by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) pressure system. B.
What pressure system causes the dry season in Dakar?
The dry season is caused by the subtropical high-pressure system. C.
What pressure system causes the rainy season in Rome?
The rainy season is caused by the Polar front and the Mediterranean cyclones. D.
What pressure system causes the dry season in Rome?
The dry season in Rome is caused by the sub-tropical high-pressure system. 11.
Please select Atlanta, Georgia and Julian CDF, California. Each location is near the ocean but not on the coast. Each is at nearly the same latitude.
A.
What explains the difference in precipitation between the two locations?
The difference can be due to Location, Topography, and prevailing weather patterns. B.
Which location is warmer on an annual basis and why?
Julian CDF is warmer on a annual basis, C.
Which location would typically experience more cloudy days on an annual basis and why?
Atlanta would experience more cloudy days on an annual basis. Atlanta is known for its humid subtropical climate and experiences more cloudy days due to the location and the prevailing weather patterns. 12.
Please select Seattle and Spokane, Washington.
A.
What explains the difference in precipitation for these two locations?
The difference in precipitation between Seattle and Spokane, Washington includes their location, topography, and prevailing weather patterns. Seattle is on the western side of the Cascade mountains, while Spokane is on the eastern side of the mountains. The western side of the Cascade mountains is influenced by moist air masses from the Pacific ocean, while the Eastern side is more arid and dry. B.
Which location experiences more seasonality (steeper temperature curve) and why?
Spokane, Washington experiences more seasonality compared to Seattle. 13.
Please select San Francisco and Washington, D.C. What accounts for more seasonality at Washington, D.C.?
A.
What pressure system leads to rainfall in San Francisco?
The Pacific high-pressure is the pressure system that leads to rainfall in San Francisco. B.
What pressure system leads to the prolonged dry summer in San Francisco?
Pacific high-pressure system. C.
What is a significant contributor to the consistent rainfall pattern of Washington, D.C.?
The Bermuda high is a contributor to the consistent rainfall patterns. 14.
Please select Makokou, Gabon.
A.
Why are there two times of the year with higher precipitation?
Makoku experiences two periods of higher rain precipitation due to the region's location near the equator and its tropical rainforest climate. B.
What accounts for the consistent temperature pattern throughout the year?
The consistent temperature pattern throughout the year is due to the region's location near the equator and its tropical rainforest climate. C.
Why do daylight hours remain consistent from day to day throughout the year?
Daylight hours remain constant because of the location to the equator. The equator experiences relatively constant day lengths throughout the year with only some small variations. 15.
Please select Isla Diego Ramirez, Chile and Luanda, Angola.
A.
Please explain why the daylight hour pattern is different for these locations.
Isla Diego Ramirez, Chile and Luanda, Angola have different daylight hours due to the different latitudes. Isla DIego Ramirez is located near the southern tip of Chile. As a result of the locati0n the amount of daylight varies throughout the year with longer sunlight days in the summer. 16. Please select two locations where one is influenced by a warm ocean current and one by a cold ocean current.
A.
Please explain the impact of warm ocean currents on the precipitation at this location and how cold ocean currents impact the precipitation at this location.
Miami, Florida is influenced by a warm Gulf Stream current. Reykjavik, Iceland is influenced by the cold East Greenland current. In Miami, the Gulf Stream brings in warm water which impacts the local climate. The warm water from the Gulf can increase the temperature and humidity in the region which leads to more evaporation and precipitation. In turn, Miami experiences high levels of rainfall. Reykjavik brings cold water southward from the Arctic Ocean. The cold water from the East Greenland current can decrease the temperature and humidity in the region which leads to less evaporation and less
precipitation. As a result, Reykjavik experiences low levels of rainfall. I hope you enjoyed this lab and learned much about the many characteristics of climate.
Tim
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