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Name: _____________________________________________ Date: __________________________ Core: ___________ Climate Climate: refers to the _____________________, year-­‐after-­‐year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area. Scientists use two main factors to describe the climate of a region: _____________________________ and ____________________________. Factors that Affect Temperature: 1) Latitude: Generally, climates located near the ____________________, are warmer than climates located near the poles. The reason is that the sun’s rays hit most _____________________ at the equator. 2) Altitude: When dealing with high mountains, altitude is more of a climate factor than latitude is. Since temperature drops the further up you go in the ____________________________, high, mountainous areas have cool climates no matter what latitude they are found at. 3) Distance from Large Bodies of Water: Since water heats up more slowly than land, and also cools more slowly than land, large bodies of water help to moderate, and make less ___________________ the temperatures of nearby land. Land on the coast/located near water, generally has more mild climates, with in-­‐land areas having a more extreme climate. 4) Ocean Currents: The ocean has naturally occurring currents that flow through it. Cold, deep currents form in the ocean, nearest the poles due to the __________________ of dense, cold water with high salinity. Concurrently, ocean currents form near the equator as warmer, less dense water begins to ______________. The flow and path of these currents can actually affect the temperature of the nearby regions – making them slightly warmer, or colder than they otherwise would be. Factors Affecting Precipitation: 1) Prevailing Winds: Each region has a prevailing wind – a wind that blows in a consistent direction for the area. The direction of these winds often determines the amount of ______________ ________________ they carry (depending on if they have blown over a large body of water and picked up moisture) and can often determine the amount of rain or snow a region receives. 2) Mountain Ranges: A mountain range in the path of a prevailing wind, can also determine where precipitation falls. When humid air is pushed up a mountain, it forces the water vapor to ____________________, and drop the moisture as _________________________ as it travels up the mountain, on the ________________________ side of the mountain. By the time it reaches the top of the mountain it has usually released all of its moisture, leaving the ___________________ side cool and dry. 3) Seasonal Winds: A seasonal change in wind patterns can also affect precipitation. These are similar to land and sea breezes, but occur over a larger area. These breezes, which change direction with the season and occur over a large area are called ________________________. Regions affected by monsoons generally receive very little rain in the winter, and then have heavy rain in the ______________________. Climate Regions: 1. Tropical Climates: Low-­‐lying areas near the equator. a) Tropical Wet: Always hot and humid, with heavy ________________ (at least 6 cm a month) all year round. Example: Rain Forest b) Tropical Wet and Dry: Always hot; alternating with wet and dry seasons – heavy rainfall in the __________ season. 2. Dry Climates: The amount of precipitation that falls is less than the amount of water that could potentially evaporate. a) Semiarid: Located on the edges of deserts. Often called ____________________, or prairies, which are classified as dry areas that get just enough rainfall for short grasses and low bushes to grow. b) Arid: Deserts, or areas that receive less than _______________ of rain a year. Some deserts are hot and sandy, while others are cold and rocky. 3. Moderate/Temperate Climates: Located along the coasts of continents. The moderating force of the oceans causes humid climates with mild winters. a) Mediterranean: A _________________ climate which is fairly dry and warm – mostly found around the Mediterranean Sea. b) Humid Subtropical: The warmest temperate climate – found along the edge of the _____________________. They are ________ and warm, but not as consistently hot as the tropics. c) Marine West Coast: The ___________________ of the temperate climates, found on the coasts of the continents 40oN and S. Humid ocean air brings mild, rainy winters, with summer precipitation varying considerably. 4. Continental Climates: Not moderated by the oceans, so they often have extreme temperatures. a) Humid Continental: Shifting winds and air masses bring constantly ______________________ weather. b) Subarctic: Lie _______________ of the humid continental climates. 5. Polar Climates: The coldest climate region, and are only found in the far north and far south – near the poles. These areas are relatively dry since the cold air can hold such little moisture. a) Ice Cap: Found mainly in Greenland and in Antarctica, averaging temperatures constantly at or below ______________________ – leading to a region covered in ice and snow. b) Tundra: Northern Alaska, Canada and Russia. Short, cool summers followed by bitterly cold winters. Due to the cold, some layers of the tundra soil remain constantly frozen in a state of __________________________. 6. Highlands: Highland climates are cooler than the region that surrounds them. The increased altitude of these regions creates a colder climate, with a wet side and a dry side.