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Types of Rainfall & Ocean

Currents
World Climate Patterns
World Geo 3200/3202
Unit 2, Chpt 4
November 2010

Outcomes
In this lesson you will:
2.3.6 Define the terms windward, leeward, and
rain shadow. (k)
2.3.7 Examine how the type of rainfall (i.e.,
orographic, frontal, and convectional) is related
to the nature of location. (a)
2.3.8 Explain how wind systems and
precipitation are related. (k)

Types of Rain

Three types of rainfall:


1. Relief Rain
2. Convectional
3. Frontal / Cyclonic Rain

Relief Rainfall

Stage 1.
Warm wet air is forced to rise
over high land.
Stage 2.
As the air rises it cools &
condenses. Clouds form &
precipitation occurs.
Stage 3.
The drier air descends & warms.
Stage 4.
Any moisture in the air (e.g.
cloud) evaporates

Convectional Rainfall
Stage 1
The sun heats the ground &
warm air rises.
Stage 2
As the air rises it cools &
water vapour condenses to
form clouds.

Convectional Rainfall
Stage 3. When the
condensation point is
reached large cumulonimbus
clouds are formed.
Stage 4.
Heavy rain storms occur with
thunder & lightening due to
the electrical charge created
by unstable conditions.

Frontal / Cyclonic Rainfall


Stage 1 An area of warm air meets
an area of cold air.
Stage 2. The warm air is forced
over the cold air
Stage 3. Where the air meets the
warm air is cooled & water vapour
condenses.
Stage 4.
Clouds form & precipitation occurs

http://www.curriculumbits.com/p
rodimages/details/geography/type
s-of-rainfall.html

Part 2: Ocean Currents Outcomes


In this lesson you will learn to...
2.4.1 Define the term ocean current. (k)
2.4.2 Analyze how ocean currents can create
different climatic conditions for two coastal
locations on the same latitude. (a)

Ocean Currents
1. Permanent or semi-permanent horizontal
movement of surface water (the top 100m)
It is unusually cold or hot, when compared with
the surrounding water
2. Caused by and shaped by,

prevailing winds,
variations in temperature
density of water
Coriolis force

Warm and Cold Currents


Cold ocean currents: move water towards
the equator.
For example the Humbolt or Peru Current carries cold
water from Antarctica toward the equator (along the
South American coast). Can you find it on page 60?

Another example is the Labrador Current which


carries cold water from the Arctic Ocean down along
the Labrador coast towards the Grand Banks. Can you
find it on page 60?

Cold Ocean CurrentsPractical Examples


Marys Harbour on the
coast of Labrador is
affected by the Labrador
Current which gives
Mary's Harbour cool
summer temperatures &
surprising little
precipitation for a location
right on the oceans edge.
Drying & cooling effect to
maritime climate

Newfoundland Coast
LC brings both cool water & air south from the
Arctic
When this meets the warm Gulf Stream, flowing
north from the equator, fog forms along our
coast
There is a frontal effect created off our coast
contributing both to our precipitation & wet /
foggy weather conditions

Practical Examples
Newfoundland's south
coast has ice-free ports
year-long while its north
coast has heavy ice for
several months.
The difference in latitude
is not enough to explain
this difference in ice.
Can you explain it with
ocean currents?

Warm and Cold Currents


Warm ocean currents: Move water away from
warm equatorial regions.
For example the Gulf Stream moves warm water from the
Gulf of Mexico northeast toward England. Can you find it
on page 60?
Another good example is the Japanese current which moves
warm water from Japan northeast towards Vancouver. Can
you find it on page 60?

Ocean Currents & the Affect on


Climate
Affect of cold ocean currents

Cools the summer temperature;


Reduces precipitation; cooler air holds less
moisture.
Maritime Climate

Ocean Currents & the Affect on


Climate
Affect of warm ocean currents

Warms the winter temperature;


Increases precipitation; warmer air holds more
moisture.
El Nino

http://www.cdli.ca/courses/geog3202/unit02_
org03_ilo02/b_activity.html

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