BIO120H1 Lecture Notes - Microclimate, Atmospheric Circulation, Rain Shadow

• School: UTSG
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIO120H1
• Professor: James Thomson

Document Summary

Weather temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, wind and humidity; daily measurement. Climate prevailing weather patterns in an area, largely determined by temperature & precipitation; long term. Variations in climate daily, seasonal, or quinquennial (el nino oscillation every 5 or so years) Long term climate change caused by change in distribution/intensity of solar light. Provides energy for life: drives earth"s weather/climate patterns. Earth = spherical; energy from sunlight varies based on latitude. Area closest to equator = more solar energy. Area close to poles = low solar energy (sunlight is spread over a larger area) Sunlight varies throughout year (earth is changing its orientation in space) Seasons occur b/c of earth"s titled axis (23. 5o) North hemisphere = winter when northern tip of planet tilts way from sun. North hemisphere winter = south hemisphere summer; vice-versa. Tropical areas have little change in temperature, season characterized by presence(or lack) of rain. Sunlight intensity, global winds, precipitation, & ocean circulation.