.

Introduction to Fronts

A front is the boundary between two air masses with different temperatures and humidity levels.
When these air masses meet, they don’t mix immediately; instead, they create a front where
significant weather changes occur. The two main types of fronts are cold fronts and warm fronts.
Content:
(489) The Four Types of Fronts Explained - YouTube

Cold Fronts

 Definition: A cold front occurs when a colder, denser air mass pushes into a warmer air mass, forcing the
warm air to rise quickly.
 Formation: As the cold air advances, it wedges underneath the warm air, causing the warm air to lift and
cool rapidly.
 Characteristics:
o Fast-moving with steep gradients.
o Associated with thunderstorms, heavy rain, or even snow, depending on the season.
o After the front passes, the temperature drops, and the air becomes drier.
 Weather Impact: Cold fronts bring sudden, sometimes severe weather, followed by clearer skies and
colder temperatures once they pass.


 

Warm Fronts

 Definition: A warm front occurs when a warm air mass gradually moves into an area of cooler air, slowly
rising above it.
 Formation: Since warm air is lighter, it rises above the cold air in a more gradual slope than in a cold
front.
 Characteristics:
 o Slow-moving, with a more gradual temperature change.
o Produces extended periods of rain, light snow, or drizzle as the warm air cools gradually.
o After the front passes, the area experiences warmer, more humid weather.
 Weather Impact: Warm fronts bring cloudy skies, light precipitation, and eventually lead to warmer,
milder weather.


The class will review the contents as the teacher summarizes the notes
 1. Diagram Drawing: Have students draw diagrams of a cold front and a warm front, labeling the direction of the cold and warm air masses and
the type of weather they bring.
2. Weather Observation: Ask students to check local weather forecasts and identify if a front is approaching. They can observe and record the
changes in temperature, cloud type, and precipitation.

The students will identify and discuss the different fronts:

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) - What, Why, How, When?
Definition of the ITCZ

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a narrow band near the equator where the trade winds of the
Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. This zone is characterized by:

 Rising warm air and high humidity.

 Frequent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.

Formation of the ITCZ

 The ITCZ forms as the sun heats the Earth most intensely around the equator, causing warm, moist air to
rise.
 As this air rises, it cools and forms clouds and rainstorms.
 The ITCZ shifts slightly north or south with the changing seasons, following the sun’s position.

Characteristics and Weather Impact

 The ITCZ is known for its high rainfall and is sometimes called the "doldrums" due to its calm winds.
 Its movement influences seasonal monsoon patterns and rainfall in tropical regions.
 Regions near the ITCZ experience heavy rainfall, supporting lush vegetation and tropical ecosystems.
High vs. Low-Pressure Weather Systems: What’s the Difference?
  The ITCZ is a vital region near the equator, driving rainfall and monsoon cycles in tropical areas.

3. ITCZ Research Project: Have students research the ITCZ's seasonal movements and how it affects a specific tropical region (e.g., the
Amazon, West Africa, Southeast Asia).

Introduction:
The class will review the synoptic weather map:
Activities:
 The students will be shown a video and will be asked to make their own notes.

Easterly Wave in the Caribbean (CSEC Geography)

 After the video, the class will go through the contents of the lesson in the form of a guided discussion.
Easterly waves, also known as tropical waves, are atmospheric
disturbances found in the tropics that travel from east to west. These
waves are essential components of tropical weather systems and play a
crucial role in the development of tropical cyclones.
1. Formation: Easterly waves form due to a disturbance in the trade
winds, which blow from east to west across tropical regions. This
disturbance typically happens in areas of low pressure.

2. Movement: As the name suggests, these waves move westward,

following the direction of the prevailing easterly winds in the tropics.

3. Characteristics: An easterly wave consists of areas of

convergence (where air is moving inward and upward) and divergence
(where air is spreading out). In the convergence zones, warm, moist air
rises, creating clouds and potentially heavy rainfall. In the divergence
zones, dry air descends, often resulting in clearer skies.

4. Role in Weather: Easterly waves are a primary factor in tropical

weather, especially in regions like the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico,
 and the western Atlantic. They are responsible for much of the summer
rainfall in these areas.

5. Tropical Cyclone Formation: Easterly waves can sometimes

develop into tropical depressions, storms, or even hurricanes if
conditions are right. These conditions include warm ocean waters, low
wind shear, and sufficient moisture in the atmosphere. When an
easterly wave encounters these conditions, the disturbance can grow
and intensify into a full-fledged tropical cyclone.
In summary, easterly waves are essential for tropical rainfall and can be
the seed for powerful tropical cyclones.

Assessment:
What is an easterly wave?

Describe its movement of these waves?

List some of the weather characteristics associated before and after tropical waves.
Introduction:

Show video: Climate Zones of the Earth - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For kids | Dr Binocs

Content:

What is a Climatic Zone?

A climatic zone is a region on Earth that has similar weather patterns, temperatures, and precipitation throughout the year. Climatic zones are determined mainly by
latitude (distance from the equator), altitude, and proximity to oceans or other water bodies.

Any circle drawn around the Earth divides it into two equal halves are called hemispheres.
There are generally considered to be four hemispheres:
 Northern,
 Southern,
 Eastern
 Western.
The equator is an imaginary line drawn right around Earth's middle, like a belt. It divides Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the
Southern Hemisphere.

The Equator, or line of 0 degrees latitude, Lines of latitude runs from East to West or West to East. They are horizontal lines.
Important lines of latitude:
 the equator (0°)
 the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° north)
 the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° south)
 the Arctic circle (66.5° north)
 the Antarctic circle (66.5° south)
 the North Pole (90° north)
 the South Pole (90° south)
The Prime Meridian, or line 0 degrees longitude, divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western hemisphere.
Lines of longitude runs from North to South. (UP AND DOWN)
 The most important line of longitude is the Greenwich or Prime Meridian (0°). This line runs through the Greenwich
Observatory in London. All the other lines of longitude are given a number between 0° and 180°.

There are 4 major climate zones:

 Tropical zone from 0°–23.5°(between the tropics) ...
 Subtropics from 23.5°–40° ...
 Temperate zone from 40°–60° ...
 Cold zone from 60°–90°
 Russia. Russia is the coldest country in the world in terms of the coldest temperature ever recorded. ...
 Canada. ...
 USA. ...
 China. ...
 Mongolia. ...
 Kyrgyzstan. ...

 Sweden.
A. Tropical Zone

 Location: Near the equator (from 0° to about 23.5° N and S latitude).

 Temperature: Warm year-round with little variation.
 Precipitation: High; often has a rainy season and sometimes a dry season.
 Vegetation: Dense forests, like rainforests (e.g., the Amazon).
 Examples: Brazil, Indonesia, parts of India, and the Philippines.

B. Dry (Arid and Semi-Arid) Zone

 Location: Found in both high and low latitudes.

 Temperature: Hot in the summer and cool or mild in winter.
 Precipitation: Low; may have deserts (arid) or grasslands (semi-arid).
 Vegetation: Sparse; includes cacti and shrubs in deserts, grasses in semi-arid areas.
 Examples: Sahara Desert in North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Southwestern USA.

C. Temperate Zone

 Location: Between the tropics and polar zones (23.5° to 66.5° N and S).
 Temperature: Moderate, with distinct seasons: warm summers and cool winters.
 Precipitation: Variable; moderate rainfall throughout the year.
  Vegetation: Deciduous forests, grasslands, and mixed forests.
 Examples: Most of Europe, Eastern USA, parts of China.

D. Polar Zone

 Location: Near the poles (above 66.5° N and S).

 Temperature: Very cold throughout the year.
 Precipitation: Low, mostly as snow.
 Vegetation: Limited; tundra with mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.
 Examples: Northern Canada, Antarctica, Greenland.

E. Mediterranean Zone

 Location: Around the Mediterranean Sea and other similar regions.

 Temperature: Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
 Precipitation: Moderate; most rainfall in winter.
 Vegetation: Drought-resistant plants, like olive trees and shrubs.
 Examples: Southern California, Mediterranean Basin, parts of South Australia.

Equatorial and tropical marine climates are both found near the equator but have distinct features.

A tropical marine climate is a tropical climate that is primarily influenced by the ocean. It is usually experienced by islands and coastal areas 10° to 20°
north and south of the equator. There are two main seasons in a tropical marine climate: the wet season and the dry season. The annual rainfall is 1000

to over 1500 mm (39 to 59 inches). The temperature ranges from 20 to 35 °C (68 to 95 °F).
A tropical rainforest climate or equatorial climate is a tropical climate sub-type usually found within 10 to 15 degrees latitude of the equator. There

are some other areas at higher latitudes, such as the coast of southeast Florida, United States, and Okinawa, Japan that fall into the tropical rainforest

climate category. They experience high mean annual temperatures, small temperature ranges, and rain that falls throughout the year. A tropical rainforest
climate is typically hot, very humid, and wet with no dry season.
Equatorial Climate

1. Temperature:
o High temperatures year-round, typically around 25-30°C (77-86°F), with minimal variation.
o Little to no seasonal temperature change, due to the consistent angle of sunlight near the equator.
2. Precipitation:
o Very high rainfall, often exceeding 2,000 mm (78 inches) per year, with frequent thunderstorms.
o Rain is typically evenly distributed throughout the year, resulting in a lack of a dry season.
3. Pressure:
o Generally low pressure dominates, creating a humid environment.
o Located within the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), where warm, moist air rises and condenses, contributing to frequent rainfall.

Tropical Marine Climate

1. Temperature:
o Warm year-round, generally ranging between 20-27°C (68-81°F).
o Seasonal temperature variations are minor but slightly more noticeable than in equatorial climates.
2. Precipitation:
o Moderate to high rainfall, but with more seasonal variation.
o Distinct wet and dry seasons, with rainfall influenced by the monsoon winds and tropical cyclones.
3. Pressure:
o Seasonal changes in pressure due to shifts in the ITCZ, which affects wind patterns and the onset of wet and dry seasons.
o In wet season, lower pressure encourages cloud formation and precipitation.