Lecture

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Lecture Latitude and Atmospheric Circulation
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Climate

• Long-term prevailing weather conditions
• Example Morro Bay and Fresno

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Factors that determine climate

• Latitude
• Atmospheric Circulation
• Oceanic circulation
• Local geography
• Solar activity
• Volcanic activity

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Latitude

• Distance from the equator
• Measured in degrees

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Latitude continued

• More solar energy falls upon a given area at low
  latitudes than at higher latitudes

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Atmospheric Circulation

• Cold air sinks because it is more dense
• As it sinks it compresses and warms

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• Warm air rises
• Holds more water

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• Movement of air causes wind

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• The Earths rotation results in Westerly and
  Trade Winds
• These winds effect precipitation patterns

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• Solar radiation and the movement of the earth on
  its axis is mainly responsible for long-term
  climate patterns

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Summary

• Write a summary of these lecture notes. How does
  the tilt of the Earths axis and the rotation of
  the Earth result in long-term climate patterns?