ABSTRACT
The climate system is a closely integrated system involving the atmosphere, oceans, ice masses, land surface and vegetation. This chapter explains the drivers of the major atmospheric and oceanic circulation systems, the natural greenhouse effect, and regional climate and weather experienced for different zones across the planet. Ascending moist, warm air near the equator provides plentiful rainfall, and tropical cyclones can form over warm oceans, bringing large volumes of rainfall and damaging winds to coastal areas. At around 30o latitude there are major zones of descending air, which are clear and dry, coinciding with the world’s large deserts. Easterly moving cyclonic and anticyclonic systems dominate mid-latitude weather. Continental interiors have different climates to continental margins. Polar climates tend to be cold and dry, being associated with descending air and clear conditions, but they can be very windy. The roles of mountain topography, water bodies and urbanisation in changing local climate conditions are outlined with examples.
