Climate

Locations around the world can be placed within three different climate zones. Scientists study the weather of a place over a period of many years to determine its climate. Which are the main factors that determine a location’s climate and its climate zone?

• average wind speed and temperature

• average temperature and precipitation

• average length of day and time of year

• average number of cloudy days and sunny days

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Johanna is explaining to her friend how to determine the climate of an area. Which instruction is she most likely to give her friend?

• Measure the highest and lowest temperatures for one day.

• Find the average weather conditions over a period of many years.

• Measure the weather conditions one day and compare them to other days.

• Record the precipitation and the wind speed for several months

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Most places near the equator have warm tropical climates. Some places near the equator are much cooler and even have snow. Where in a tropical climate are you most likely to find cooler weather and snow?

• at the top of a tall mountain

• at sea level near a cold ocean current

• in cloudy places near a desert region

• at the base of a mountain range that blocks air flow

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Even within climate zones, the weather in one place can be very different from the weather in another place. The following environments are all in a temperate zone. Which place would you expect to be the most hot and humid?

• desert

• swamp

• mountain range

• near the Pacific Ocean

Different parts of Earth have different climates. The following table lists some features of three different climate zones.

Which of the following features would you be most likely to find in a polar climate?

• rain forest

• hot desert

• year-round ice and snow

• large rivers and streams

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Jackson and Lincoln are both cities within the Temperate climate zone. Jackson averages 25 inches of precipitation per year. Lincoln averages 43 inches. Which of these factors could account for the greater precipitation at Lincoln?

• more trees

• fewer animals

• greater elevation

• nearness to an ocean

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of these bodies of water has the greatest effect on the climate of neighboring land?

• lake

• ocean

• pond

• river

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Coos Bay, Oregon and Boise, Idaho are approximately at the same latitude.

In January, the average temperature in Coos Bay is 11.7ºC (53º F). The average temperature in Boise is 2.7º C (37º F). What is the most likely reason for the difference in the average January temperatures of the two cities?

• Coos Bay is near the Pacific Ocean

• Coos Bay gets more precipitation

• Boise is located in a desert.

• Boise is at a lower elevation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Amy is making a model of a tundra. A tundra is a treeless area that usually gets less than 10 inches of precipitation each year. The soil below the surface is frozen. Which climate zone does Amy's model show?

• equatorial

• polar

• temperate

• tropical

Which factors affect temperature and precipitation within a climate zones?

• Latitude, elevation and proximity to water

• Latitude, number of cities and time of year

• Elevation, types of plants and time of year

• Elevation, number of rivers and proximity to water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6