Regional Climate: Southern US
Phenomenon:
In the Southern region of the United States, summers are hot and humid. Heavy rainfall occurs on many afternoons. Louisiana, for example, receives over 60 inches of precipitation per year. This is more than any other state in the continental U.S.
Student Task:
Construct an explanation based on evidence for the weather pattern (i.e., heavy rainfall) and subtropical climate observed in the Southern region of the United States.
Model
Students develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating of Earth’s surface causes patterns of ocean circulation.
Investigate
Students investigate how the angle of sunlight affects the quantity of energy received per unit area at different latitudes.
Students investigate how changes in temperature and salinity can cause ocean water to move in a predictable pattern.
Obtain Information
Students read to obtain information about how the sun’s energy is distributed through a global ocean convection cycle.
Analyze Data
Students analyze and interpret data to identify components of the system that could impact climate in the Southern region of the U.S.
Explanation:
The ocean largely influences climate in the Southern Region of the United States. The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current, moves heat from the equator toward the North pole. The warm water both evaporates quickly and heats air in the atmosphere. The warm, moist air causes heavy rainfall and frequent thunderstorms in the area that drop a lot of rain onto the land.
NGSS Standard:
MS-ESS2-6 Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
Utah SEEd Standard:
Standard 6.3.3 Develop and use a model to show how unequal heating of the Earth’s systems causes patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
Recommended Teaching Sequence:
Day 1: Students analyze and interpret data to identify components of the system that could impact climate in the Southern region of the U.S.
Day 2: Students investigate how the angle of sunlight affects the quantity of energy received per unit area at different latitudes.
Day 3: Students investigate how changes in temperature and salinity can cause ocean water to move vertically in a predictable pattern.
Day 4: Students read to obtain information about how the sun’s energy is distributed through a global ocean convection cycle. Students develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating of Earth’s surface causes patterns of ocean circulation.
Day 5: Students construct an explanation based on evidence for the weather pattern (i.e., heavy rainfall) and subtropical climate observed in the Southern region of the United States.
Formative Assessment:
Use what students have written in their science notebooks as a formative assessment, including
Do students understand that
Lesson Contributor(s):
April Mitchell, Science Specialist, Salt Lake City School District