World Climate

• What does climate refer to in meteorology?


  Average conditions of the atmosphere over many years
• What type of climate is found in the Philippines?

  Tropical climate
• Why do some areas experience warmer temperatures than others?

  Due to more direct heating from the sun
• What are the effects of prevailing winds on coastal areas?


  • Bring rain and dry weather to inland areas
  • Cause temperate coastal areas to receive heavy rainfall
  • Example: land and sea breeze
• How does topography influence climate?

  It creates milder climates near bodies of water and acts as barriers to air movement
• What drives ocean currents?

  Gravity, wind (Coriolis Effect), and water density
• What is a climatograph?


  A graph showing the monthly average temperature and precipitation for a particular area
• What are the main classifications in Kappen's Classification System?

  • Tropical Climates: constant high temperatures, heavy rainfall
  • Dry Climates: scarce vegetation, high temperatures, low moisture
  • Mid Climates: moderate temperature differences between seasons
• What characterizes continental climates?


  Dry with hot summers and cold winters, away from bodies of water
• Where do polar climates lie?


  North of the continental climates
• What are the characteristics of polar climates?

  Constant cold temperatures and low precipitation
• What are the natural causes of climate change?

  • Natural processes
  • Human impacts
  • Ice Ages due to changes in Earth's tilt/axis
  • Volcanic eruptions releasing gases
  • Changes in solar activity
• What happens during an El Niño event?


  The Eastern Pacific Ocean gets warmer while the Western Pacific gets cooler
• What is La Niña?

  A period where temperatures in the Eastern Pacific Ocean cool down
• How does solar activity affect climate?


  Increased solar activity leads to more solar radiation and higher temperatures
• Why do seasons occur?

  Because Earth is tilted on its axis
• How does Earth's orbit change over time?

  It becomes more elliptical every 100,000 years
• What has happened to sea levels throughout Earth's history?


  They have fluctuated due to various factors, including tectonic plate shifts
• What is global warming?

  An increase in global temperature due to rising carbon dioxide levels
• What is the greenhouse effect?


  The trapping of heat in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases like water vapor and carbon dioxide
• How does deforestation impact the atmosphere?


  It increases carbon dioxide levels and decreases oxygen
• What is ozone and where is it found?

  Ozone (O3) is a gas in the stratosphere that protects from ultraviolet radiation
• What causes smog?

  Reaction of sunlight with air pollutants like CO2 and NO
• What is acid rain?


  Precipitation with a pH less than 7 caused by sulfur and nitrogen oxides
• What is ocean acidification?


  Process where carbon dioxide dissolves in oceans, lowering pH
• What are microclimates?

  Localized climates that differ from the regional climate
• What are the effects of asphalt on microclimates?


  • Asphalt can create localized heat islands
  • Alters temperature and moisture levels in the surrounding area