Download Notes on Factors that Effect Climate

Identify five factors
that affect climate
and explain
how each
affects climate.
LATITUDE
Summer – Energy
more intense
Winter – Energy less
intense
5
As we move from December to June the number of daylight hours
increases due to the tilt of the axis (earth surface receives more
direct sunlight). June to December daylight hours get shorter earth
6
cools.
How does latitude
affect climate?
Temperature
As latitude ________,
increases the average
decreases
annual temperature _________.
0°
Latitude
90°
Rain Shadow
Orographic Effect
How does the
Topography
affect climate?
cool, moist
Windward Side: ___________
warm, dry
Leeward Side: _____________
During summer, temperature is strongly controlled by elevation -- cold at the
higher reaches of the Alaska and Brooks Ranges, and warmer in the lowlands.
How does elevation
affect climate?
Temperature
increases the average
As elevation _________,
annual temperature __________.
decreases
Elevation
How does closeness to a large
body of water affect climate?
moderates the temperature.
Water __________
Cooler summers. _______
Warmer winters.
_______
Cities A & B are located
at the same latitude.
City B is closer to a large
body of water.
Its temperature line is
flatter (moderated).
FACTORS INFLUENCING
CLIMATE
AIR MASSES
Air Masses: Wind
• Wind is moving air – the winds blow from areas of high
pressure to areas of low pressure – this is called the pressure
gradient.
• The winds carry air masses across the country. When a warm
air mass and a cold air mass collide, the warm air rises up
over the cold air resulting in precipitation and storms.
• The direction of the wind patterns is caused by the coriolis
force – a force that deflects moving air to the right from its
direction of movement. This force results in the northeast
trade winds, the westerlies and the polar easterlies.
FACTORS INFLUENCING
CLIMATE
How do ocean and Air
Currents affect climate?
Warm Currents: warmer climate
Cold Currents: cooler climate
Side Note: Vegetation
Vegetation can affect both temperature and
the precipitation patterns in an area.
• How much energy is absorbed and
released from the sun (temperature)
• Transpiration releases water vapor from
leaves into the air (precipitation)
• The Amazon rain forest has extremely
dense vegetation. Because of this it rains
almost everyday.
Summary of Five Factors
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7DLLx
rrBV8
Situation A:
A certain region is located near the equator close to
a major ocean. The prevailing winds in this region
originate far inland. What type of climate would you
expect in this area?
Situation B:
A certain region is located on the leeward side of a
mountain near the equator. There are no large
bodies of water nearby. What type of climate would
you expect in this area?
Situation C:
A region is on the windward side of a mountain at
a latitude that is closer to the north pole than the
equator. It is located near a large body of water.
What type of climate would you expect in this
area?