The Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate

The ocean covers more than 70 pecent of the Earth’s surface. The ocean plays a major role in regulating the weather and climate of the planet. These materials will help you understand the factors that impact the Earth's weather and climate, and how changes in temperature or air circulation are part of complex, long-term cycles. Understanding the influence of ocean conditions on the Earth’s climate and monitoring changes in ocean conditions are key to predicting climate change.

Classroom Resources

This professional development section provides an understanding of the complex interactions between the ocean, weather, and climate. These resources present information on the water cycle, including real-time and animated data of surface and deep ocean currents. Activities and lesson plans explain the causes of ocean currents, and the interaction of ocean density, atmospheric winds, and Earth’s rotation. Real-time weather and climate data show how meteorologists record and forecast the weather. Satellite and radar imagery provide a visual understanding of convection in the ocean, the atmosphere and their interrelatedness.

Teacher Tutorials

Global Climate Patterns		Global Precipitation and Energy		Global Circulation Patterns		Changing Climate

Click here for system requirements and how to access the tutorials (pdf, 388Kb).

The tutorials, cooperatively developed by NOAA scientists and National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) pedagogic experts, are designed to help teachers understand ocean, climate and weather connections based on the science literacy goals in the National Standards. Each tutorial focuses on a key content idea, contains interactive simulations and embedded questions.

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Web Seminar Archives

In collaboration with the NSTA, NOAA has presented a series of 90-minute, professional development experiences. Through the following link you can view Web seminar archives, download PowerPoint presentations, and access additional resources.

The Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate
http://learningcenter.nsta.org/products/symposia_seminars/fall06/
oceans/webseminar.aspx

This link provides access to two Web seminar archives that focus on the connections among air, sea, and land; the processes by which energy is stored, released and transferred among them; and how our ability to understand and monitor ocean conditions is key to predicting climate change. The first seminar presents the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on climate, from hurricanes to African drought. The second seminar explains how changes in climate affect the Arctic sea ice.

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