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
Factors That Affect Climate Latitude: Temperature Temperature decreases as latitude increases. Why? Higher latitudes receive less direct sunlight. Latitude: Precipitation Precipitation is high at the equator and 60 degrees north and south. Precipitation is low at 30 degrees north and south and at the poles. Why? Global winds carry moisture either away from or towards this band of latitude. Nearness to the center of a large landmass (continent): Temperature Temperature changes more as nearness to the center of large landmasses increases. Why? Land heats up, and cools down, faster than water. Nearness to large bodies of water: Temperature Temperature doesn’t change as much with nearness to large bodies of water. Why? Water heats up, and cools down, slower than land. Nearness to large bodies of water: Precipitation Precipitation increases closer to large bodies of water. Why? Clouds carrying moisture from over large bodies of water, so areas near large bodies of water receive more precipitation. Elevation Temperature decreases as elevation increases. Why? The thinner atmosphere at higher elevations holds less heat from the sun than the thicker atmosphere at lower elevations. Mountain Ranges Windward sides of mountains receive more precipitation than leeward sides of mountains. Why? Clouds release most of their moisture as they rise and cool on the windward sides of mountains. http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/eBridge/Chp29/animations/ch29/rain_shadow_formation.swf Ocean Currents Warm ocean currents cause higher temperatures and cold ocean currents cause lower temperatures. Why? The air gains heat from warm ocean currents, and the air loses heat to colder ocean currents.