East Tennessee State University



Climate ZonesPolar Zone368617541910Tropic Zone-266700245745 Polar ZoneDifferent forests of the world experience different climatic conditions.A forests climate influences the types of vegetation and animals that live there. It is therefore possible to divide the world into a number of climatic zones each with its own characteristic climate, vegetation and wildlife.Tropical forests are found near the equator in Central America, parts Africa and Asia. They are very hot and humid and contain a huge variety of plants and animals - round half of all the world's species. Trees are mostly hardwood.Temperate deciduous forests contain trees that lose their leaves and are found across Europe and USA.Coniferous forests contain pine trees are found further north than deciduous forests, in Scandinavia, Russia and Canada.Desert is the driest of areas. The largest expanse of desert is found in North Africa. Areas of scrubland that border the desert are called desert scrub.Savannas or tropical grasslands are hot and dry, dominated by grass, scrub and occasional trees. They have two distinct seasons - a dry season when much of the vegetation dies back, and a rainy season when it grows rapidly. Savannas are found in central Africa (Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania), northern Australia and central South America (Venezuela and Brazil).Temperate grasslands are areas dominated by grass, where trees and large bushes are scarce. The weather is less harsh than the savannas. Famous grasslands include the Puszta in Hungary, Veldts in South Africa, Pampas in Argentina, and Prairies in USA.Mediterranean is a pleasant climate - not too hot or cold. As the name suggests it is found around the Mediterranean Sea and to a lesser extent elsewhere.Tundra surrounds the poles. It has an extremely cold climate, with limited numbers of plants and animals.Mountain areas can be very cold at night and during winter. The growing season is short and at higher levels trees will not grow.-4667250Abiotic Factors: Hot and wet year-round; thin, nutrient-poor soil. Climate ZonesAverage Temperature: 80°F. High sun angles throughout the year make the high annual temperatures with very little seasonal variation. Tropical Rainforests contain more variety of plants and animals than anywhere in the world.Dominate Plants: Broad-leaved evergreen trees; ferns; large woody vines and climbing plants; orchids.Dominate Wildlife: Herbivores such as sloths and tapirs. Predators such as jaguars; anteaters and monkeys. Insects such as butterflies, ants and beetles. Reptiles such as boa constrictors and anacondas. Average rain from 60 – 450 inches a year.In monsoon area – there is a wet season and dry season. One part of the year a moist ocean wind creates a wet season. Another part of the year, the wind changes directions, and a dry land wind creates a dry season.Monsoon in Mawsaynram, India has an average yearly rainfall of 450 inches (37.5 feet), but all this comes in six months during the wet season! Thus, a lot of flooding.Controlled by tradewinds and doldrums.Warm and humid all year-round because found near equator.High surface heat and humidity cause cumulus clouds to form early in the afternoons almost every day.Humidity is between 77% and 88%.High sun angles throughout the year make the high annual temperatures with very little seasonal variation.Tropical Climate ZoneLow-latitude ClimateHumid Tropical ClimateTropical RainforestLocation: Between the tropics near equator. Latitude Range: 10° S to 25° NKTN:Largest Rainforest: Amazon Rainforest in South America.Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse places in the world. For example, one tree in the Amazon Rainforest might contain more species of ants than exists in all the British Isles. ClimatePrecipitationTemperaturePlants and Animals KTN: Farmers that live in tropical areas clear the land to farm and to see the valuable wood. After a few years, the crops use up the nutrients in the soil, and the farmers must clear more land. As a result, tropical rain forest habitats are being destroyed. Through education, people are realizing the value of preserving the species of the rain forest. In some areas, logging is prohibited. In other areas, farmer are taught new methods of farming so they do not have to clear rain forest lands continually. Tropical Rainforests are divided into zones with each having a distinct community. The forest floor is home to many insects and the largest mammals in the rain forest generally live here. The understory is a dark, cool environment under the canopy laves but above the ground. Shorter trees and vines. Many insects, reptiles, and amphibians live in the understory. The canopy includes the upper parts of the trees. The leafy tops of tall trees- extending from 50 to 80 meters above the forest floor is full of life-insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. The fourth layer is emergent: these giant tress are much higher than the average canopy trees. Birds such as macaw and insects are found here.320992549530Climate ZonesPlants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimate Tropical and Temperate Climate Zone GrasslandsLocation:About one quarter of the earth’s land is made up of grasslands. Grasslands are usually large, wide-open spaces. Grasslands are found in areas between deserts and forests.? In the northern hemisphere the main grasslands are the prairies of the midwestern United States and Canada; in Eurasia grasslands are the steppes of Russia and the grasslands of the mideast extending from Turkey to India. Grasslands are also found in South America.? Africa certainly has grasslands, but the majority of them are classified instead as savannas (tropical grassland with interspersed trees). Dependent on latitude, yearly range can be between -40°F to 86°CDominant Wildlife Grasshoppers and?locusts cling to the grass. Hawks, falcons, and meadowlarks fly over the Grassland biome. Other animals?are giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, African elephants, black rhinos, hippopotamus, and a cheetah.Dominant PlantsGrasses are adapted to hot, dry areas: they have long, narrow leaves that lose less water than larger leaves do and their root systems are extensive and deep so that they can acquire water even during drought conditions.In the Savanna Desert up to 30% may be covered trees. Some trees are the cottonwood tree, the baobab, and the acaia tree.About 10 to 60 cm of rain per year.Savannas or tropical grasslands are hot and dry, dominated by grass, scrub and occasional trees. They have two distinct seasons - a dry season when much of the vegetation dies back, and a rainy season when it grows rapidly.Grasslands are found on either side of two desert belts that circle the earth. About one quarter of the earth's land is in the grasslands. Tropical grasslands -- those closest to the equator -- are hot all year. Savannas are tropical grasslands. They have a warmer, drier climate than other types of grasslands. Savannas have seasonal droughts. Therefore, most plant life in a savanna can store water for long periods of time or can lie dormant during a time of drought. Savannas have frequent fires because of the dryness. One of the most known savannas is the African savanna.Temperate grasslands are farther from the equator -- such as the U.S. prairies -- and have both hot summers and harsh winters. Abiotic Factors:Grasslands have deep soils that are very nutrient rich because of the large amount of plant tissue ('biomass') that dies off and is added to the soil through decomposition every year. This is why grassland is often converted into farmland.Warm to hot summers; cold winters; moderate, seasonal precipitation; fertile soils; occasional fires.204787536831Desert vegetation is very rare. Plants are almost all ground-hugging shrubs and short woody trees. All of the leaves are replete (packed with nutrients)Dominate Plants: the plants that live in these extreme conditions are specially adapted ot tolerate the dry&/or cold conditions. Cacti; creosote bush and other plants with short growth cycles.Plants grow far apart so as not to compete for water.Some plants store water in trunks, stems and leaves.Dominate Wildlife: Predators such as mountain lions, gray foxes and bobcats. Herbivores such as mule deer. Antelopes, desert bighorn sheep, and kangaroo rats. Bats. Birds such as owls hawks and roadrunners. Insects such as ants, beetles, butterflies, flies and wasps. Reptiles such as tortoises, rattlesnakes, and lizards.Less than 10 inches of precipitation year.Potential evaporation exceeds precipitation.Sunny and dryCauses of Deserts:1.Deserts near 30 ° latitudes are associated with high atmospheric pressure. Air descents from the upper atmosphere at these latitudes causes evaporation to exceed precipitation in the intense heat. This makes for very dry hear. Much of the Sahara and Australian desert are associated with this type of climate.2. West coasts of continents, between 20° and 30 ° latitude. In these latitudes, prevailing winds are easterly and these winds prevent moist air from coming onto the west coast. Cold ocean currents also occur in these locations and moisture condenses as fog along the shore. Some of the world’s driest deserts are located right on the coast; they received most of their limited precipitation from fog. Such fog deserts include Baja California in North America, the Western Sahara in northern Africa, the Atacama in South American and the Namib in southern Africa.Temperate and Tropic Climate ZonesDesert (Hot)Location: Deserts are centered near the 20°-30° latitudes.Cold deserts are found in the mid-latitudes mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, often in the rain shadow of nearby mountain ranges.KTN: Deserts are Earth’s hottest and driest climate.In order to provide water for desert cities, rivers and streams have been diverted. When this happens, wildlife tends to move closer to cities in their search of food and water. Education about desert environments has led to an awareness of the impact of human activities. As a result, large areas of desert had been set aside as national parks and wilderness areas to protect desert habitats.1. Deserts in the tropics are hot with highs up to 130°F.2. Clear skies make nighttime temperatures cool.3. Winters are cool to cold.4. Nonpolar deserts rarely experience frost. Hot deserts, like the Sahara and the Arabian Desert, regularly have low humidity and high temperatures during the day. At night, temperatures drop because the dry air cannot hold hear well.5. Many deserts undergo extreme temperature changes during the day.Plants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimateClimate ZonesAbiotic Factors: Low precipitation; variable temperatures; soils rich in minerals but poor in organic material.3. Some deserts are caused by the rain shadow effect. When air masses are forced over mountains and downslope, they warm and their capacity for holding water vapor increases. Evaporation exceeds precipitation and an arid environment or rain shadow in created on the leeward side. Such conditions account for some the North America deserts such as in Death Valley, CA, the Patagonian desert in Argentina, and the Peruvian desert.4. some deserts are caused by being located in the interiors of continents. Usually in combination with the rain shadow effect, distance from a major source of moist air results in dry climates in the interior of a land mass. The Great Basin desert of the United States, the Australian desert, and the Gobi desert of Mongolia can all be explained in large part to their interior positions. Desertification- When vegetation is removed from soil is areas that receive little rain, the dry, unprotected surface can be blown away. If the soil remains bare, a desert might form. This process is called desertification. The spread of desert like conditions. This is a serious problem around the world. Areas with heavy agriculture in the Southwest United States are most likely to be affected by desertification. Changes in climate and human activities also contribute to desertification, which is the loss of productivity of land in arid or semi-arid areas.The Sahara desert region is also affected by desertification. Drought, overgrazing, vegetation removal and have led to desertification in the region.29622753560445Abiotic Features: Hot and dry summers: cool and moist winters. Thin, nutrient poor soil. Fires and droughts are very common. The growth of dense, low plants that contain flammable oils make fires a constant threat.Lows never below 32°FWinters: rainy. Intense downpours can cause rapid runoff and initiate landslides on unstable slopes.Rain averages 15-20 inches a year.Plants have adapted to the extreme difference in rainfall and temperature between winter and summer seasons.The chaparral biome has many different types of terrain. Some examples are flat plains, rocky hills and mountains slopes. It is sometimes used in movies for the “Wild West.”Dominate Plants: Plants have small, hard leaves which hold moisture such as evergreen shrubs. Poison oak, scrubs, Yucca Wiple, and other shrubs, trees and munities are dominated by shrubs call chaparral.Dominate Wildlife: Animals are mainly grassland and desert types adapted to hot, dry weather. Predators such as coyotes, foxes and mountain lions. Herbivores such as jack rabbits and black tailed deer. Summers: dryWinters: rainy. Intense downpours can cause rapid runoff and initiate landslides on unstable slopes.Rain averages 15-20 inches a year.Summers: dry and hotWinters: cool and rainyExtremely dry summers are caused by the sinking air of the subtropical highs and may last for up to five months.Considered the most favorable climate. The temperature is moderated by nearby large bodies of water making for comfortable conditions throughout most of the year.The stable atmosphere creates cloudless conditions giving dry summers and lots of sunshine.Temperate Climate ZoneMid-latitude ClimateMediterranean ClimateChaparral ClimateLocation:Between 30°-50° latitudeThis climate region is named for the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sean where it is located. It also exists elsewhere, such as the west coast of the United States and parts of Australia.KTN: The cloudless skies during summer increase absorption of pollution of large urban centers in places like California. This causes smog problems. Smog- a mixture of fog and smoke.Plants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimateClimate Zones4162425336423011906253364230Temperate Climate ZoneMid-latitude ClimateHumid SubtropicalTemperate Forest/ Deciduous ForestLocation:East coast of continents. Between 20° and 40 °latitudeKTN: When European settlers came to America, they cut trees to create farmland and to supply wood. As forests were cut, organisms lost their habitats. When agriculture shifted form the eastern to the Midwestern states, secondary succession began, and trees eventually began, and trees eventually returned to some areas. State, show the result of secondary succession.Abiotic Features: Cold to moderate winters; warm summers, year-round precipitation; fertile soils.Soils are rich in humus, a material formed form decaying leaves and other organic matter that make soil fertile.Summer: average between 69°F to 79°F. Many days the temperature can be above 90°F.Winter: can dip into single digits. Frost is a hazard to fruit and vegetable growers.Temperate Forests contain a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall. Coniferous trees produce seed-bearing cones. And most have leaves shaped like needles.Most temperate forests in Europe and North American are dominate by climax communities of deciduous trees.Dominate Plants: Broadleaf deciduous trees; some conifers; flowering shrubs, herbs; a ground layer of mosses and ferns.Dominate Wildlife: Deer, black bears; bobcats; nut and acorn feeders such as squirrel; omnivores such as raccoons and skunks; number of songbirds; turkeys.Often subjects to hurricanes in the late summer and autumn.Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.Annual precipitation varies from 100 inches near the coast and 25 inches inland.Winters: cold enough to stop plants growth for several months.Summer: long periods of heat and humidity.Climate is suitable for raising crops.Four distinct seasonsPlants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimateClimate Zones3095625377380513811251764029The forest is made up of a variety of conifers, ranging from giant redwoods along the coast of northern California to spruce, fir and hemlock further north. Moss often covers tree trunks and the forest floor. Flowering trees and shrubs such as dogwood and rhododendron are also abundant. Because of its lush vegetation, the northwestern coniferous forest is sometimes called the “temperate rain forest.”Dominate Plants: Douglas fir, spruce, western hemlock, redwood.Dominate Wildlife: Bears; large herbivores such as elk and deer; beavers; predators such as owls, bobcats and members of the weasel family.Plants and AnimalsWinds over the warm ocean moderate the temperatures and keep them relatively constant.TemperatureFrequently cloudy, foggy and damp.Rain shadow effect forces air to rise windward, creating significant cloud cover and precipitation.Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.Westerlies can bring cyclonic storms with long periods of rain, drizzle and fog. In some locations, it is not uncommon to receive as much as 100 inches of precipitation a year.PrecipitationMild moist air from the Pacific Ocean provides abundant rainfall to this biome. Summers: mildWinter: mildClimateClimate ZonesTemperate Climate ZoneMarine West Coast ClimateNorthwestern Coniferous ForestTemperate Rain Forest Location:Close to the ocean. West coast of continents in the temperate zone.KTN: The logging industry in the Northwest provides jobs for many people. However, it remove large parts of the temperate rain forest and destroys the habitat of many organisms. Many logging companies now are required to replant trees to replace the ones they cut down. Also, some rain forest areas are protected as national parks and forests.38576253206115Abiotic Factors: Mild temperatures; abundant precipitation during fall, winter and spring; relatively cool, dry summer; rocky, acidic soils.11906253568065Temperate Climate Zone*Humid ContinentalLocation:Mid-latitude interiors of Northern Hemisphere continents.Latitude: 30° - 55° N and S (Europe: 45°-60°N)Primarily located within the interior of most midlatitude continents. Thus, removes from moderating ocean influences. This leads to large variations of temperature and precipitation.Abiotic Factors: Long, cold winters and short, warm summers. Fertile soils have created productive agriculture.Varies.Winter: Record-setting cold temperature occur during the winter when continental arctic air masses sweep into the region. Otherwise, continental polar air masses dominate from much of the winter.Summer: temperatures can exceed 82°F.Ecosystem depend on latitude location.Dominate Plants: Mixed broadleaf deciduous forest and coniferous forest is common in southern and eastern portions of this climate zone (Ex. Northeast United States). In the west portion of the zone where precipitation is less, forests gibe way to grasslands. Tall grass prairies (Ex. Central Iowa and Illinois).Precipitation primarily due to collision of tropical air mass and polar air mass. A battle ground of polar and tropical air masses.Average: 32 inchesA great variety of temperature and precipitation in this climate zone.Air masses chilled by Arctic ice and snow flow south over these areas and frequently collide with tropical air masses, causing changing weather conditions.Four seasons. The length of each season is determined by latitude location.Winter: long and coldSummer: short and warmPlants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimateClimate Zones95250341185546101003240405Hugh temperature variations between summer and winter.Temperatures at freezing or below freezing last five to eight months of the year.Low: -14°FHigh: 60°FPolar Climate ZoneHigh-latitude ClimateSubarctic Boreal ForestThe word “boreal” comes from the Greek word for “north,” reflecting the fact that boreal forests occur mostly in the Northern Hemisphere.TaigaLocation:Higher latitudes of the interior and east coasts of continents.Along the northern edge of the temperate zone.Latitude: 50°-70° N and SFound mostly in the Northern Hemisphere because of the large landmasses on this latitude range.KTN: World’s largest biome.Dense coniferous forest: cone-bearing evergreen forests, called taiga cover the lands.Most soils of the taiga thaw completely during the summer, making it possible for trees to grow.Dominate Plants: Needleleaf coniferous trees such as spruce and fir; some broadleaf deciduous trees; small, berry-bearing shrubs. Some lichens and mosses grow on forest floor.Dominate Wildlife: Predators such as lynxes and timber wolves and members of the weasel family. Small herbivorous mammals; moose and other large herbivores; beavers. Songbirds and migratory birds. Little PrecipitationPolar air mass region. Very cold air masses from the arctic often move in. The temperature range is larger than any other climate. Precipitation increases during the summer months although annual precipitation is still small.During the summer it is dominate by the Westerlies and cyclonic activity.Winter is influenced by the Polar High and Easterlies.Average Annual Precipitation: 12-15 inchesSummers: mild and short. Yet are long enough to allow the ground to thaw.Winters: long and very cold (warmer and wetter than the tundra)Permafrost is present in the northern regions.Plants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimateClimate Zones1295400423100548101254231005Abiotic Features: Long, cold winters; short, mild summers; moderate precipitation; high humidity; acidic, nutrient-poor soils.Polar Climate ZoneTundraHigh-latitude ClimateLocation:Treeless land forming a ring around the Arctic Ocean.Almost exclusively located in the Northern Hemisphere. Can be found on the peninsular land of Antarctica.Just south of the north pole or at high elevation.High elevation: for example, the Alpine tundra, in Alaska, is found above the treeline in high mountains. KTN: People are concerned about overgrazing by animals on the tundra. Fences, roads, and pipelines have disrupted the migratory routes of some animals and forced them to stay in limited areas. Because the growing season is so short, plants and other vegetation can decades to recover from damage. Temperatures at freezing or below freezing last five to eight months of the year. Average daily temperature: -10°F.Summer temperatures never rise above 50°F. Treeless land.Characterized by permafrost – a layer of permanently frozen subsoil. During the short, cool summer, the ground thaws to a depth of a few centimeters and become soggy and wet. In winter, the topsoil freezes again. This cycle of thawing and freezing rips and crushes plant roots. This is one reason why the tundra plants are small and stunted.Cold temperatures, high winds, the short growing season, and humus-poor soils also limit plant height.Dominant Plants: ground-hugging plants such as mosses, lichen, hedges, and short grasses.Dominant Wildlife: A few resident birds and mammals that can withstand that harsh conditions. Migratory waterfowl, shore birds. Musk ox, Arctic foxes, and caribou. Lemmings and other rodents. Very little precipitation, usually less than 15 – 25 inches per year. Covered with ice most of the year. Climate influenced by high latitudes. The high latitude creates a low temperature that reduces moisture content of the air.Arctic from cyclones bring moisture bearing winds to the tundra climate.Cold temperatures, high winds, the short growing season, and humus-poor soils also limit plant height.Cold all year.Winter: 6-9 months, below freezing. For some of these months, the Sun never appears above the horizon and it is dark 24 hours a day. Summers: short, warm. For a few days during the summer, the Sun is always visible. Cold, dry, treeless regions. Sometimes called a cold desert. Plants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimateClimate Zones2933700252603030670504450080Abiotic Factors: Strong winds; low precipitation; short and soggy summers; long, cold and dark winters; poorly developed soils; permafrost. Polar Climate ZoneHigh-latitude ClimateIce Cap ClimateLocation:Near the poles. Arctic and Antarctic. Interior of Greenland and permanently frozen portions of the Arctic Ocean (some northern portion of the ocean are covered with sea ice) and its islands.Ice Cap Climate can be found on very tall mountains: as those found Africa and South America.Borders the tundra. Climate ZonesHarshest place on Earth.The high latitude location is the primary cause of the extremely cold temperatures and dry conditions. At such high latitude, sun angle is low.Additionally, the sun never rises above the horizon during the long months of the “polar night.”Bitterly cold temperatures throughout the year, especially during the long polar nigh.Humidity levels are so low that precipitation amounts may be similar to most deserts. Some call this climate zone a “polar desert.”Antarctica is covered by a layer of ice that is nearly 5 kilometers thick in some places. ClimateSnow and ice remain year-round, but precipitation is light. The coldest temperature ever recorded is -128.6°F below zero was on the ice cap at Vostok, Antarctica.Coldest temperatures on Earth. Dominate Plants: Little vegetation grows. Mosses and lichens are few.Dominate Wildlife: Mammals such as penguins, seals and polar bears thrive. Plants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationOn mountain, like Washington’s Mount Rainier, abiotic and biotic conditions vary with elevation.Because temperature increases as you move up the mountains, the types of plants and animals also change. If you were to climb the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, for example, you would begin in a grassland. Then you would pass through an open woodland of pines. Next, you would high through a forest of spruce and other conifers. Near the summit, you would reach open areas of wildflowers and stunted vegetation resembling tundra. In the Canadian Rockies, ice fields occur at the peaks of some ranges. As you move up the mountain, temperatures become colder and precipitation increases. All Three Climate ZonesHighland ClimateLocation: Mountain ranges.In all latitudes.Climate varies with each latitude, elevation, other topography, and continental location. In rugged mountain areas such as the Andes of South America, climates can vary based on such factor as whether a slop faces north or south and whether it is exposed to winds carrying moisture. Plants and AnimalsTemperaturePrecipitationClimateClimate ZonesInstructions: Always explain with full details and in pictures (if applicable) Essay Questions: (pick two questions from 1-5 in which to write essays). What is the difference between weather and climate?What is convection and why does it occur?How does the tilt of the Earth's axis influences the annual solar absorption received at a site located at 50 degrees South latitude?Describe the climate characteristics of the following Climate Classifications: tropical rainforest, desert, and grassland.Describe the climate characteristics of a particular desert and tell how it affects humans, animals, plants, and land. 10477568580Essay: In questions 6 and 7 make sure you discuss uneven heating of Earth, climate zone, prevailing wind pattern, and ocean currents. Minimum of two paragraphs.6. Why are tropical rainforest located here? 7. Why are grasslands located here?1905066675About one quarter of the earth’s land is made up of grasslands. Grasslands are usually large, wide-open spaces. They are usually found between forests and deserts. There are two different types of grasslands; they are temperate grasslands and tropical grasslands. There are also many types of tropical and temperate grasslands. One type of temperate grassland is also known as a prairie. Most prairies are in the United States. A prairie is usually humid. Dense tall grass grows in the nutrient rich soil. For that reason, prairies are most often used for farming. Very few trees will grow here but if there are trees, they will grow near springs or other sources of water. A steppe is another type of temperate grassland. Steppes are found in areas less prone to moisture. The vegetation there is suited to a drier climate and has shorter grass than a prairie. The lack of moisture puts steppes in risk of becoming deserts. The last type of grassland is a savanna. Savannas are tropical grasslands. They have a warmer, drier climate than other types of grasslands. Savannas have seasonal droughts. Therefore, most plant life in a savanna can store water for long periods of time or can lie dormant during a time of drought. Savannas have frequent fires because of the dryness. One of the most known savannas is the African savanna.Short Answers: Base your answers to questions 8 through 10 on the magazine article and diagram below. Lake-Effect Snow 13525503150870During the cold months of the year, the words “lake effect” are very much a part of the weather picture in many locations in New York State. Snow created by the lake effect may represent more than half the season’s snowfall in some areas. In order for heavy lake effect snow to develop, the temperature of the water at the surface of the lake must be higher than the temperature of the air flowing over the water. The higher the water temperature and the lower the air temperature, the greater the potential for lake-effect snow. A lake-effect storm begins when air flowing across the lake is warmed as it comes in close contact with the water. The warmed air rises and takes moisture along with it. The moisture, which is water vapor from the lake, is turned into clouds as it encounters much colder air above. When the clouds reach the shore of the lake, they deposit their snow on nearby land. A typical lake-effect storm is illustrated in the diagram below. The area most likely to receive snow form a lake is called a “snowbelt.” Lake Ontario’s snowbelt includes the counties along the eastern and southeastern ends of the lake. Because the lake runs lengthwise from west to east, the prevailing westerly winds are able to gather the maximum amount of moisture as they flow across the entire length of the lake. There can be lake-effect snowfall anywhere around the lake, but the heaviest and most frequent snowfalls occur near the eastern shore. In parts of the snowbelt, the lake effect combines with a phenomenon known as orographic lifting to produce some very heavy snowfalls. After cold air has streamed over the length of Lake Ontario, it moves inland and is forced to climb the slopes of the Tug Hill Plateau and the Adirondack Mountains, resulting in very heavy snowfall.8. State why very heavy snowfall occurs in the Tug Hill Plateau region.9. State the relationship that must exist between water temperature and air temperature for lake-effect snow to develop.10. State why locations east and southeast of Lake Ontario are more likely to receive lake-effect snow than arelocations west of the lake. Use your knowledge of the affects of prevailing winds and large bodies of water on climate to explain why the east side of the lake receives more snow than the west side of the lake. 11. What is the warmest month?12. What is the driest month?13. In which month does the monsoon season occur?14. In what months does the monsoon season begin?15. Is Bangladesh in the northern or southern hemisphere? How can you tell?16. When is it the best time to plant crops? Explain your answer.17. What effects might the climate have on the people who live there?18. Add all of the average monthly precipitations. What would be the average yearly precipitation?19. Add all of the average temperatures. What would be the yearly average temperature?Map Analysis. Use the map below to answer questions 11 – 20. 1905017907020. Using the climate graph (above) and the information in the table below, in which climate zone would Bangladesh be located?WORLD CLIMATE ZONESCLIMATE ZONEDEFINITIONice capvery cold all year with permanent ice and snowtundravery cold winters, cold summers, and little rain or snowsubarcticcold, snowy winters and cool, rainy summershighlandstemperature and precipitation vary with latitude and elevationmarine west coastwarm summers, cool winters, and rainfall all yearhumid continentalwarm, rainy summers and cool, snowy wintersMediterraneanwarm all year with dry summers and short, rainy wintershumid subtropicalhot, rainy summers and mild winters with some rainsemiaridhot, dry summers and cool, dry wintersaridhot and dry all year with very little raintropical wet and dryhot all year with rainy and dry seasonstropical wethot and rainy all year ................
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