What is weather and Climate?
1. What is weather and climate?
1. Weather
a) state of atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place
b) described using variables including air temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, wind speed and wind direction
2. Climate
a) average state of atmospheric conditions over a specified time period
b) climate types include tropical equatorial climate, tropical monsoon climate and cool temperate climate
3. Climatic hazards
a) changes in climate and extreme weather including heat waves, droughts, floods, cyclones and wildfires
b) impact natural and human systems significantly
The photograph below was taken at Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2016.
Have you seen this in an airport? Why do you think it is important for the pilot to get updates on the weather conditions?
Can you identify the type of climate shown in the climographs below?
Look at the temperatures first - If temperatures are high all year round, the climatic type would be tropical so it will be either Equatorial or Tropical Monsoon. If there is very low temperatures showing winter months, then it will be Cool Temperate.
Next look at the rainfall distribution - the rainfall will be more evenly distributed in Equatorial climate and there is a distinct wet and dry season for Tropical Monsoon.
Analyse the climograph by calculating /describing:
Annual mean temperature
Annual temperature range
Total rainfall - High above 2000mm , Moderate 1000 - 1999mm, Low below 1000mm
Rainfall distribution - evenly distributed or distinct wet and dry season
Equatorial - Singapore, Tropical Monsoon - Bombay (Mumbai), Cool Temperate - Sacramento, California USA
Will this happen to Singapore? You will learn more about climate change in the next topic!
Watch the video below to see how bad weather can destroy crops and affect food production in Thailand. Do you think you will be affected by this in Singapore?
Watch the video below on how bad weather affects commuting and travelling in Singapore. Had you been affected by this?