Download 3-Notes Climates of Canada

UNIT 1- THE CLIMATES OF CANADA
The Climates of Canada

Most of Canada lies above 49 degrees north latitude

Inland areas experience a continental climate
o temperature extremes (high and low)
o low precipitation

Coastal areas have a maritime climate
o mild temperatures and high precipitation

The Atlantic Coast has more severe climate than coastal BC
o Result of wind blowing from inland creating greater differences in temp. and
precipitation
What are the 5 factors that affect climate?
1. __________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________
3. __________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________
5. __________________________________________
Latitude

The further you move away from the _____________________, north of south, the
_________________ the temperature
o

Why? The sun’s rays are dispersed over a larger area
of land as you move away from the equator
Also affects the length of day and night
Altitude

The_______________________it is from sea level, the _______________________ the
temperature.
o Why? As elevation increases, the air becomes less dense. Less dense air cannot hold as
much heat as dense air and thus temperature decreases.

Generally temp. drops 1 degree Celsius for every 150 meter rise in altitude
o Ex. Snow still appears on mountains even in the summer.
Distance from the Sea

Land surface heats and cools more quickly than water

Because Canada is so large, temperature can swing between extremes – high in summer, low in
winter

However, temperature of west coast of Canada is moderated by proximity to the sea
o Less difference between summer and winter temperatures
Wind Direction

Winds blowing from water increase moderating effect of water

Prevailing winds are those that come from one direction
o In Canada those are mostly westerlies (from the west) or northerlies (from the north)
o Warm westerlies cause BC to have milder climate
Ocean Currents

Ocean currents are either warm or cold

Warms or cools the air moving over it

Affects temperature of lando
West coast, with a warm current, has a mild climate
o
Newfoundland and Labrador, next to the cold ocean current, has much harsher winters
Precipitation

Canada’s precipitation includes rain, snow, hail, and fog
What determines the amount of precipitation and area receives?
_________________________________________and ________________________________________

Western Canada faces 3 types of precipitation
1. Orographic
2. Conventional
3. Frontal
Orographic Precipitation

Orographic = ___________________________________

Westerly winds push warm moist pacific air up against mountains

Rising air cools, vapour condenses, clouds form and rain falls

As the air descends the eastern slope the air becomes warm and dry; this area is called the
______________________________________
Convectional Precipitation

Caused by convection currents in atmosphere
o takes place mostly in Prairies and Canadian Shield
during the hot months

As the ground warms, the air is warmed, expands and rises

Meets cool air which also warms, rises and cools to form

Forms clouds of ______________ or ______________ which falls back to Earth
Frontal Precipitation

Cold polar air from north and warm tropical air from south cannot mix
o

Their line of contact is called a “front”
Because tropical air is less dense than cold air,
it ______________________________

As it rises it condenses and forms clouds which result in
prolonged precipitation
Water Resources in Canada

Most of the rivers begin in the ____________________________
o Constant flow of water results from high precipitation and melting of snowpack

Rivers flow west and east out of mountains and continue until they reach major body of water
(Pacific Ocean, Hudson’s Bay)
o Join with other rivers and lakes and drain the land

Areas drained by one river system is called a __________________________________________
o Formed as rivers carry eroded material away
***Class/homework
•
To complete: Q’s 1-3 on p. 107 of textbook