Climate

Question 1

What is a valley microclimate?

Answer 1

The climate of a small valley area that is different from the surrounding region.

Question 2

What factors are studied in valley microclimates?

Answer 2

Temperature, wind, pressure, and sunlight in a valley.

Question 3

What is slope aspect?

Answer 3

The angle at which the sun’s rays hit a slope.

Question 4

Why is slope aspect important?

Answer 4

It affects how much heat a slope receives.

Question 5

Between which latitudes does the sun shine directly?

Answer 5

Between 23.5°N and 23.5°S.

Question 6

Why are summers warmer than winters?

Answer 6

Sun rays are more concentrated in summer.

Question 7

From which direction does the sun shine in winter (Southern Hemisphere)?

Answer 7

From the north.

Question 8

What happens to valleys in summer?

Answer 8

Both slopes receive equal sunlight.

Question 8

Which slopes are warmer in winter (Southern Hemisphere)?

Answer 8

North-facing slopes.

Question 8

What is a shadow zone?

Answer 8

An area that receives little or no sunlight and stays cold.

Question 9

What causes wind?

Answer 9

Movement from high pressure to low pressure.

Question 10

Name the four valley winds.

Answer 10

Upslope, Anabatic, Downslope, Katabatic.

Question 11

What is upslope wind?

Answer 11

Wind that blows up valley sides during the day.

Question 12

What is anabatic wind?

Answer 12

Wind that blows up the valley during the day.

Question 13

Why do upslope winds form?

Answer 13

Valley sides are warmer than the valley floor.

Question 14

When do anabatic winds form?

Answer 14

Around midday.

Question 15

What is downslope wind?

Answer 15

Wind that blows down valley sides at night.

Question 16

What is katabatic wind?

Answer 16

Wind that blows down the length of the valley at night.

Question 17

What causes downslope and katabatic winds?

Answer 17

Cooling by terrestrial radiation.

Question 18

What conditions form frost pockets?

Answer 18

Clear, cold, windless nights.

Question 19

What is terrestrial radiation?

Answer 19

Heat given off by Earth at night.

Question 20

What is a thermal belt?

Answer 20

A warm layer halfway up a valley.

Question 20

What is a frost pocket?

Answer 20

Cold air trapped on the valley floor.

Question 21

What is a temperature inversion?

Answer 21

Warm air above cold air.

Question 22

When does frost form?

Answer 22

When dew point is below freezing.

Question 23

What is radiation fog?

Answer 23

Fog formed when dew point is above freezing.

Question 24

Why does radiation fog disappear in the morning?

Answer 24

Sun heats the surface and evaporates moisture.

Question 25

Which slopes get more sunlight in the Southern Hemisphere?

Answer 25

North-facing slopes.

Question 26

Why are north-facing slopes drier?

Answer 26

More evaporation occurs.

Question 27

What plants grow on north-facing slopes?

Answer 27

Succulents and grasses.

Question 28

Why are south-facing slopes wetter?

Answer 28

Less evaporation.

Question 28

What plants grow on south-facing slopes?

Answer 28

Trees, shrubs, and ferns.

Question 29

Why must farmers consider slope aspect?

Answer 29

It affects crop growth.

Question 30

Where are grapes planted in the Northern Hemisphere?

Answer 30

On south-facing slopes.

Question 31

Why should frost-sensitive crops not be planted in valleys?

Answer 31

They can be damaged by frost pockets.

Question 32

Where should frost-sensitive crops be planted?

Answer 32

On valley slopes.

Question 33

Why do people build on north-facing slopes (Southern Hemisphere)?

Answer 33

They are warmer and sunnier.

Question 34

Why should houses face north?

Answer 34

To receive more sunlight.

Question 35

What happens to south-facing houses?

Answer 35

They are colder.

Question 36

How can sunlight heat homes naturally?

Answer 36

By letting sunlight through windows.