Download Climate: Factors that affect Temperature

Climate: Factors
that affect
Temperature
Objective: Explain what
affects temperature and its
role in climate.
What is Climate?
 General
conditions of
temperature and precipitation for
an area over a long period of time
Weather vs. Climate

Weather -- conditions (temperature,
rain, wind, ect) on a given day.

Climate -- conditions (temperature &
rain) over a long period of time.
How is climate determined?
2
basic factors determine climate:
Temperature
Precipitation
Factors that affect
temperature
 Three
natural factors that affect
temperature:
Latitude
Elevation
Ocean
currents
Latitude and Temperature

Areas close to the equator receive
direct sun rays which means:
 more
radiant energy
&
 a warmer climate
Regions N & S of the Equator

Areas away from the equator receive
less direct rays
 Cooler
 Ex.
climates
The poles have the lowest average
temperatures on Earth
Elevation and Temperature

As elevation increases the
temperature decreases
 Temperature
at the top of a mountain is
lower than at sea level
Ocean and Temperature

Water temperatures at the surface
affect the air above, which affects the
nearby land temperatures
 Warm
 Cool
water warms the air
water cools the air
Ocean Currents

Currents traveling away from the
equator are warm


Ex. The Gulf Stream
Currents traveling to the equator
are cold

Ex. The California Current
Surface Currents
Summary
1.
Add questions on the left column of your
notes.
2.
In place of a summary please answer the
following question with a short paragraph:

Using your knowledge of things that
affect climate, please explain the
different climates on the west coast and
east coast of the US.