Download Factors influencing climate

Canadian Geography
Factors that Affect Climate
Ms. Ripley
Name:_____________________________
Instructions:
Read the information on the factors that affect climate and then draw a diagram for that factor.
Latitude
Please draw a diagram here
Usually the further region is from the equator the cooler the region is. The
land area of Canada extends from 42 o N to 83 o N. This affects
temperature for two specific reasons.
A- The rays from the sun are concentrated and hot at the equator.
B- The rays from the sun are dispersed or spread out thus they are not as
strong closer to the poles. More of the sun’s energy is reflected back by the
atmosphere.
Relief
Relief refers to the difference in elevation in the earth's surface.
A- Air masses cannot easily pass over a wide mountain range. Mountains
and hills affect climate because they act as barriers. The mountains force
an air mass to rise, cool and release its moisture as rain or snow on the
WINDWARD side of the mountain. The air mass, which is now dry,
continues to rise over the mountain and begin to pick up moisture from the
LEEWARD side of the mountain.
B- The relief of the land causes two different climate regions to exist. The
wind and rain fall on the WINDWARD side of the mountain, thus the
LEEWARD side will be dryer. You will find better vegetation on the
windward side because of the moisture in the air. The leeward side will be
dry like a desert. Farmers will have a difficult time growing crops. The
leeward side is often used for grazing cattle on short grasses.
Please draw a diagram here
Canadian Geography
Factors that Affect Climate
Ms. Ripley
Name:_____________________________
Elevation
Please draw a diagram here
As you increase elevation (altitude), the temperature will fall one degree
Celsius (1 0 C) for every 100 meters. You can calculate its temperature as it
moves to other elevations.
A- Air rises up the side of the mountain until it condenses and rain forms.
Depending on the time of year, precipitation falls as rain, fog or snow.
B- When the air mass reaches the top of a mountain it may pass over an
ice and snow capped mountain.
C- As the air mass rises, it expands, loses heat and becomes cooler.
Water Bodies
DISTANCE FROM WATER Most of the water from precipitation comes
from water bodies.
A- The closer you are to LARGE bodies of water, the more precipitation you
will have and the smaller the range in temperature, this is known as a
MARITIME climate. Maritime climates are moderated by the nearby water
bodies, meaning they are warmer in the winter and colder in the summer
compared to a continental climate.
B- The further you are from the water, the lower the precipitation and the
larger the range in temperature, known as a CONTINENTAL climate.
Please draw a diagram here
Canadian Geography
Factors that Affect Climate
Ms. Ripley
Name:_____________________________
Please draw a diagram here
Ocean Currents
A- Warm water currents will warm the air above it and this air will retain
moisture, whereas cold currents will not retain moisture.
B- When warm and a cold current meet, fog will form.
C- The three major ocean currents that affect Canada are the Alaska
Current, the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream.
WESTERN CURRENTS
EASTERN CURRENTS
Alaska Current: Warm water
Gulf Stream: Warm water
California Current: Cold water
North-Atlantic Drift: Warm water
Labrador Current: Cold water
Air Pressure Systems
The differences in pressure of air masses causes wind.
1. The heating of the earth by the sun warms the air above it and causes
the air to rise. This produces a low pressure area.
2. The air cools and descends. This produces a high pressure area.
3. Air at ground level moves from high pressure to low pressure, creating
wind.
Please draw a diagram here
Canadian Geography
Factors that Affect Climate
Ms. Ripley
Name:_____________________________
Air Masses
An air mass is a large volume of air with the same or almost the same
temperature and moisture content throughout. The combination of these
will determine the climate conditions.
A - As the air mass moves, it takes with it the climatic conditions of the area
where the air mass was formed.
B - The Arctic lacks moisture because cold air holds very little water vapor.
Please draw a diagram here