Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
L-O-G-M-E-N: Factors that Affect climate (Temperature and Precipitation) 1st TEMPERATURE: The main factors that influence temperature are L-latitude, O-ocean currents, E-elevation, N-nearness or farness from large bodies of water. L-Latitude: The sun’s rays hit the earth’s surface most directly at the equator. As a result, temperatures at the equator are much hotter. Alternatively, solar radiation that strikes the poles is spread out over a large area. This is due to the tilt of the earth, which we will discuss in another lesson. Since the intensity of solar radiation varies from the equator to the poles, we have consistent temperature variations. E-Elevation: In the case of high mountains, altitude is a more important climate factor than latitude. In the lowest layer of the earth’s atmosphere, air temperature decreases 6.5oC with each 1-kilometer increase in altitude. As a result, highlands everywhere have cool climates no matter where on the globe they are located. N-Near or Far from large bodies of water: Large bodies of water, such as oceans or large lakes, can affect temperature. Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land so winds from the ocean keep coastal regions at a moderate temperature. Many parts of the west coasts of North America, South America, and Europe have mild marine climates, with relatively warm winters and cool summers. On the other hand, the centers of large continents are too far away to be affected by the oceans. As a result, the temperature variations are more extreme – winters are cold and summers are hot. These climates are considered continental climates. O-Ocean currents: In addition to ocean winds affecting temperature over land, ocean currents have an affect. Oceans have deep, intermediate, and surface currents. Surface currents are the most important in determining climate. Currents from the poles transport cold water while currents from the equator transport warm water to their final destinations. These currents either heat up or cool down the air above them resulting in either warm or cool air being blow onto the land. 2nd PRECIPITATION: The main factors that influence precipitation are G-global wind patterns/convection cells and M-mountain effects. G-Global Wind Patters/Convection Cells: Weather is determined by the movement of large air masses. Those large air masses are moved around by prevailing winds. Prevailing winds are the directional winds that usually blow in a region. The air brought in by prevailing winds can be cool or warm, dry or humid. The moisture content of the air influences how much precipitation will fall on the ground. Winds that blow inland from oceans carry more moisture (water vapor) than winds that blow in from over land. M-Mountain Effects: As can be demonstrated in Washington State, mountain ranges have a large impact on climate and the amount of precipitation a region receives. In many mountain ranges, moist air is blown in from oceans and that air is met by a mountain range. The air is then forced higher into the atmosphere where the temperatures are cooler. These cooler temperatures cause the water vapor in the air to condense and fall to the ground as rain. The air then continues up and over the mountains, but now it is depleted of most its moisture. By the time the air reaches the other side of the mountains the air is cool and it sinks to a lower altitude where it warms up and dries out. This process is called the rain shadow and it is why Western Washington receives so much rain while Eastern Washington is mostly deset.