Download LOGMEN: Factors that Affect climate (Temperature and

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.