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What is Climate?
Climate describes the typical weather in a region over a long period of time. The equator is an imaginary line that runs through the center of the Earth. The climate in a region depends on its distance from the equator along with other factors such as rainfall, elevation or distance from the ocean.
The climate in different regions can be different in many ways. Scientists often describe a climate by its average temperature and precipitation at different times of the year.
Northern Alaska is far from the equator. The climate is very cold and dry. Most precipitation falls as snow. The Amazon River Basin is close to the equator. It is warm and wet all year.
The Egyptian desert has hot and dry climate. The Antarctic region is very far from the equator. It is very cold and dry year round.
Understanding and Measuring Weather
The Earth is surrounded by a layer of air called the atmosphere. Weather on Earth is caused by the heating of the air in the lower part of the atmosphere by the sun. The heating and cooling of the air causes it to move in different ways. This movement of air is called wind. Air also contains water in the form of a gas called water vapor. The heating and cooling of air causes the water vapor to condense into clouds the cause it to rain or snow.
Weather is always changing. The weather in the morning may be different to the weather in the afternoon. Weather changes from day to day and from season to season. Weather is also different in different places.
By using different instruments and technology, we are able to accurate describe and predict weather. We can measure and predict temperature, the strength and direction of wind, or when it will rain. We are also able to predict extreme weather events like thunderstorms and hurricanes.
Tropical Climates
Tropical climates are close to the equator. The temperature is warm and does not change much throughout the year. Precipitation is high.
Generally, tropical climates do have four distinct seasons. Instead, they have a wet season and a dry season.
Many of the world rain forest are located in tropical climates. Being wet and warm all year, tropical rainforests are the most diverse land habitats on Earth.
Temperate Climates
Temperate climates are located between tropical climates and the Earth’s poles. Temperate climates usually have four seasons - summer, fall, winter and spring. The temperature can change a lot from day to day and also from season to season. It is hottest in the summer and coldest in the winter.
Precipitation is lower than in tropical climates, but it may rain throughout the year.
Continental Climates
Continental climates are climates located far from oceans and usually in temperate regions. The temperature in continental climates follows the seasons. It is often very hot in summer and cold in winter.
Precipitation is low and often occurs during summer. During winter, it may get colder enough for precipitation to fall as snow.
Coastal Climates
Coastal climates are located close to the ocean, often between a mountain range and the coast. Differences in air temperature causes wind and rain to move in a pattern between the ocean and the land which results in a climate that is cool and wet.
Alpine Climates
The height of an area above sea level affects its climate. Generally, the higher above sea level, the colder the temperature. Alpine climates, also called mountain climates, are often cold year round. It is often much colder at night compared to the day. Mountains have little soil and the ground is often covered in ice or snow. Generally, trees cannot survive in alpine climates.
Polar Climates
Polar climates are cold all year round. There are cool summers and very cold winters. There are few trees and the ground is often covered in ice. Polar regions do not get direct heat and sunlight from the Sun. There are very long days in summer and very short days in winter.