GEOG 203 1nd Edition Lecture 10 Outline of Last Lecture I Precipitation a Atmospheric lifting mechanisms b Precipitation patterns Outline of Current Lecture II Precipitation a Precipitation patterns III Introduction to global climates IV Climographs V Distribution of climates on an idealized continent Current Lecture These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute Precipitation patterns ITCZ causes a lot of rain all year Thunderstorm frequency is most in the south east around florida and lessens as you move north west o This is because of the humid air in these areas latent heat contributes since the temperature of the surface in these areas is so high but the Gulf causes moisture in the air o When the air is moist there is energy in the air o Humid conditions lead to thunderstorm conditions Common headlines during winter o Lake effect snow buries Buffalo area o Two feet of lake effect snow on the way Air masses and lake effect snow o Cold air masses moving down from Canada are warmed by the great lakes The last few days of our weather o Humidity very high because temps were so close to dew point this material will be on exam 2 Introduction Early attempts of classifying climates included temperate torrid and frigid zones Ancient greeks proposed that the frigid and torrid zones were uninhabitable Distribution of climates on an idealized continent Similar to actual continents because o Most land is in Northern hemisphere o Ocean currents similar to reality o Cold temperatures facilitate high pressure o ITCZ shift for the different seasons Tropical wet climate tropical rain forest climate o Ie Brazil o Heavy precipitation little variation in temperature o Around equator Dry climate low latitude hot desert o Little rainfall o 25 30 degree north latitude high pressure o ie Saudi Arabia o also mid latitude cold desert mid latitude cold steppe don t have to know the differences in these Tropical wet cry climate tropical savanna climate Marine climate marine west coast climate o Ie Seattle Vancouver o Maritime o mid latitude cyclones many fronts from oceanic moisture source Dry Summer Subtropical Mediterranean climate o Summertime is dry season winter is wet season o Have to consider seasonal migration of ITCZ o Ie California Humid Subtropics humid subtropical hot summer climate o Ie southern US o Sunny a lot of the time but still humid a lot o Unstable atmospheric conditions periodic rainfall Humid continental climate Humid continental hot summer climate o Seen interior but also on east coast o Moisture from unstable ocean climate brings precipitation o Ie NY o Fairly wet climate