Climate and Climatic Phenomena

Weather - refers to day-to-day temperature and precipitation

activity in the atmosphere. It describes the state of the
atmosphere in a specific period.
Climate - is defined as the average of weather conditions of
an area over a long period of time.
The climate in any region of the world is determined by two
basic factors: precipitation and temperature. Moreover,
factors that can affect the temperature of a specific location
[Link] to Water
includes latitude, altitude, and nearness to ocean surfaces.
Surrounding bodies of water can affect the climate
Hence, we can say that weather often changes but climate
of a place or region. Keep in mind that soil absorbs and
does not.
releases heat faster than water. Hence, places that are near
PAGASA - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical the oceans have moderate climate as the body of water
Services Administration regulates the temperature. In contrast, places that are far
one of the attached agencies of the Department of Science and from the bodies of water have extreme climates as there are
Technology (DOST) under its Scientific and Technical Services no immediate bodies of water that will help to circulate the
Institutes, is mandated to “provide protection against natural movement of cold and warm air.
calamities and utilize scientific knowledge as an effective
instrument to ensure the safety, well-being and economic security

Factors Affecting Climate

1. Latitude
Latitude is the angular distance of a place north or
south of the Earth’s equator, usually expressed in degrees. It
ranges from 0o at the equator and 90o at the poles.

Areas at the equator or 0o latitude receive sun’s rays directly,

so these areas near the equator have warm climate such us
our country which is the Philippines. On the other hand,
regions away from the equator receive sun’s rays at an angle
thus having lesser radiant energy resulting to cooler climates.
[Link] - Topography refers to the forms and features
of land,, for instance a mountain. The area in which the wind
blows is called the windward side. The windward side of the
mountain receives more precipitation. On the other hand, the
area where the wind is blocked by the mountain is called the
leeward side. The leeward side receives less precipitation;
hence it is dry and has less vegetation compared to the
windward side.

[Link] (Elevation)
Altitude also affects temperature. Altitude is
distance above sea level. The higher an area is, the less dense
is the air. Less dense air cannot hold as much heat. In
troposphere, as altitude increases, the temperature
decreases
5. Ocean Surface and Circulation masses brings us our daily weather, and long-term patterns in
Covering about 71% of Earth and with a capacity to circulation determine regional climate and
absorb about twice as much of the sun’s radiation (in ecosystems. Surface ocean currents patterns result from wind
comparison with atmosphere and land surface) world oceans pushing on the surface of the water, and these currents also
are a major driving force of the climate system. transport heat across the globe.
Ocean currents can also modify climate. This uneven Changes in the amount and distribution of heat in the Earth
of the oceans causes water to move. Ocean gyres (means system due to an enhanced greenhouse effect from human
circle) are present in every ocean and loop water. activities is altering atmospheric and ocean circulation
In patterns that, in turn, alter environments around the globe.

the northern hemisphere, the current flows in a clockwise

direction. On the other hand, in the southern hemisphere,
the current flows in counterclockwise direction. These
clockwise and counterclockwise of ocean currents are caused
by the Coriolis Effect. El Niño and La Niña Phenomena
Coriolis Effect is the phenomenon created by the El Niño is an abnormal and lengthy warming in the
rotation of the earth that causes rotation in a clockwise eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. This natural phenomenon
direction in Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in occurs at irregular intervals of two to seven years and lasts
Southern Hemisphere. for nine months orb two years at most. Usually is starts at the
Ocean currents that flow away from the equator end of the Christmas season that is why it is termed as El
carry warm water. The air above the warm water has higher Niño Which refers to the “Christ the child”. Normally as trade
temperature. When ocean currents that bring cold water winds move from east to west, they collect warm air. But
move towards a coastal region, the temperature of that area when trade winds are weakened, they cause the pilling up of
decreases as warmer air from the land flows to the sea warm surface water and make part of the Pacific Ocean
resulting in a cold climate. warmer leading to the El Niño phenomenon. This happens
When warm ocean currents that take along warm when upwelling of colder water is blocked by the large
water go to a land mass, the temperature of that place quantities of warm surface.
increases as warmer air above the water flows inland, El Niño will most likely bring severe drought. It is
resulting in a warm climate. Ocean currents that bring along believed that it causes stronger thunderstorm disturbance
cold water in land make the climate cold. On the other and massive storms. It also causes the decrease in the
hand, ocean currents that take along warm water to coastal population of some species.
areas make the climate warm.
La Niña is the opposite climatic disturbance to El
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION Niño. This natural phenomenon may, but does not always,
Atmospheric circulation is used to refer to the follow El Niño events. It may last for nine to twelve months
general circulation of the Earth and regional movements of but in some cases, it lasts for two years. This event is
air around areas of high and low pressure. On average, triggered by the cooling of the eastern part of the Pacific
this circulation corresponds to large-scale wind systems Ocean that is why it is sometimes called “cold Pacific”.
arranged in several east–west belts that encircle the Earth.
Since the Pacific is to the east of the Philippines, the
How does global atmospheric circulation affect climate? El Niño phenomenon will affect the country. When there is an
Global atmospheric circulation creates winds across the increase of the temperature in the eastern part of the Pacific
planet as air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of Ocean, it is expected that some areas in the Philippines will
low pressure. It also leads to areas of high rainfall, like experience this climatic phenomenon. Some areas in the
tropical rainforests, and areas of dry air, like deserts. country will experience near the above average rainfall and
Atmospheric circulation transports heat over the surface of some areas may experience drier than normal rainfall.
the Earth that affects the water cycle, including the formation
of clouds and precipitation events. The movement of air