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Climate Factors I love learning about climate factors Me too! Ms. Mac’s class is the best! Weather vs. Climate Weather and Climate are not the same Weather - The conditions of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. Climate - Average conditions of a certain place over a long period of time World Climate Patterns Geographers divide the world into major climate regions. The major climate regions are tropical, dry, midlatitude, high latitude and highland climates. Each of these can be broken down into smaller categories. Each climate region has its own characteristic natural vegetation. Climate patterns change over time as a result of both natural processes and human activity. 6 Climate Factors I. Latitude II. Altitude III. Land - Water Relationship IV. Mountain Barriers V. Ocean Currents VI. Prevailing Winds Latitude I. Latitude - Distance north or south of the equator A. Low - Warm to hot B. Middle - Seasonal C. High - Polar (cool to cold) Factors Affecting Climate A. Low Latitudes (30° S. to 30° N) B. High Latitudes (60-90° N, 60-90° S.) C. Arctic Circle (66° N) D. Antarctic Circle (66° S) E. Mid Latitudes (30-60°, N & S) Factors Affecting Climate Latitude plays a major role in climate. The farther one gets from the Equator, the cooler the climate. High elevations are generally cooler than the surrounding landscape. (The “rule of thumb” is 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet.) Other factors that help determine climate are wind and water currents, recurring phenomena such as El Nino, and large landforms. Altitude/ Elevation II. Altitude - Height above sea level A. In mountain areas, there are major climatic differences from the bottom to the top. B. As air rises, it loses the ability to hold heat. It gets 1F colder for every 300400 ft. you go up. Latitude, Elevation (altitude) , and Climate Latitude and elevation affect the angle of the sun’s rays and temperatures on Earth Low latitudes include the Tropic of Capricorn, the Equator, and the Tropic of Cancer. The Earth’s polar areas are considered the high latitudes. Latitude, Elevation, and Climate (cont.) Mid latitudes: Between 30 degrees N and 60 degrees N in the Northern Hemisphere, and between 30 degrees S and 60 degrees S in the Southern Hemisphere, are considered the mid latitudes. The most variable weather is found here. Altitude/ Elevation: At all latitudes, elevation influences climate because of the relationship between the elevation of a place and its temperature. As elevation increases, temperature decreases The Influence of Elevation on Temperature Mountain Barriers IV. Mountain Barriers - Cause different climates on opposite sides of mountain. A. Moisture carrying winds must rise to get over mountains. B. Air cools as it rises, losing ability to hold water causing rain on the windward side C. This leaves no moisture for the leeward side creating a desert. Mountain Barriers WINDWARD SIDE Less rain Rain WIND NO RAI N LEEWARD SIDE Less Rain Cascade Mts 5,000 ft. Dry Spokane, WA Ocean Seattle, WA (80 in. Rain per Year) 12 in. Rain per Year Winds and Ocean Currents – – Global winds blow in fairly constant patterns called prevailing winds. The Coriolis effect causes prevailing winds to blow diagonally rather than along strict north-south or east-west directions. Winds and Ocean Currents Wind and water combine with the effects of the sun to influence Earth’s weather and climate. Wind – Patterns: Wind blows because of temperature differences on Earth’s surface, with tropical air moving toward the Poles and polar air moving toward the Equator. Warm Currents LAND Causes Warm And Moist Climate (Rain Forest) OCEAN Cold Currents LAND Causes Cool And Dry Climate (Desert) OCEAN Prevailing Winds VI. Prevailing Winds - Winds that blow most often in different parts of the Earth. A. Wind blows because: 1. 2. 3. Air over warm land rises Cooler air moves in from surrounding areas to replace rising air The cool air is heated and process repeats Prevailing Winds Low Pressure L High Pressure H Cool Air Descends Warm Air Rises Warm Land Mass Cool Land Mass or Water Ocean currents are caused by factors such as: the Earth’s rotation changes in air pressure differences in water temperature The Coriolis effect is observed in ocean currents as well. Ocean currents affect climate in the coastal lands along which they flow. Winds and Ocean Currents The Horse Latitudes: When sailors became stranded in the doldrums, they would lighten the load of the ships, including livestock, so that a light breeze could move them. These areas then became known as the horse latitudes. Weather and Water Cycle – Wind and water work together to affect weather—driven by temperature, condensation creates precipitation El Niño is a periodic change in the pattern of ocean currents, water temperatures and weather in the mid-Pacific region. It can influence climates around the world. El Niño A periodic reversal of the pattern of ocean currents and water Question A periodic change in the pattern of ocean currents, water temperatures, and weather in the mid-Pacific region is known as which term? A. Doldrums B. Current C. Prevailing Winds D. El Niño Question Which climate would you prefer to live in? A. Tropical climate B. Dry climate C. Midlatitude climate Regions Geographers divide the Earth into regions that have similar climates. Each of these divisions has its own characteristic soils and natural vegetation. Climate Regions Climates regions: – are organized into five Tropical climates—these are found in or near the low latitudes—the Tropics. Tropical wet Tropical dry More about Climates – – Dry climates—there are two types of dry climates—the desert and the steppe—which occur in low latitudes or midlatitudes. Midlatitude climates—this climate experiences variable weather patterns and season changes that give rise to a variety of natural vegetation. Temperate climate regions There are four temperate climate regions Marine west coast climate Mediterranean Humid subtropical Humid continental High Latitude Climate Regions High latitude climates—freezing temperatures are common throughout the year because of the lack of direct sunlight. Three are: high altitude climate regions Subarctic Tundra Ice cap Rain Shadow Warm air crosses the ocean and the land picks up water vapor 1 Rain Shadow As the warm air filled with water vapor reaches Utah’s Mountains, climbs to go over mountain. air rises, it cools and cannot hold as much water vapor. Vapor condenses and falls as rain or snow on mountains. 2 Rain Shadow When air reaches the far side of the mountain it has already lost much of its water vapor. The dry side of the mountain is called the rain shadow. 3 More terms!!!! Lets see how many you know!!!!!! Prevailing Wind Wind in a region that blows in a fairly constant directional pattern Coriolis Effect The resulting diagonal movement, either north or south, of prevailing winds caused by the Earth’s rotation Doldrums A frequently windless area near the Equator Current Cold or warm stream of seawater that flows in the oceans, generally in a circular pattern Windward Being in or facing the direction from which the wind is blowing Windward being in or facing the direction from which the wind is blowing Leeward Being in or facing the direction toward which the wind is blowing Rain Shadow Effect Result of a process by which dry areas develop on the leeward sides of mountain ranges Natural Vegetation Plant life that grows in a certain area if people have not changed the natural environment Oasis Small area in a desert where water and vegetation are found Coniferous Referring to vegetation having cones and needle-shaped leaves, including many evergreens, that keep their foliage throughout the winter Deciduous Falling off or shed seasonally or periodically; trees such as oak and maple which lose their leaves in autumn Mixed Forest Forest with both coniferous and deciduous trees Prairie An inland grassland area Permafrost Permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground Hypothesis A scientific explanation for an event Smog Haze caused by the interaction of ultraviolet solar radiation with chemical fumes from automobile exhausts and other pollution sources Factors of Climate Latitude Elevation Continentally Landforms Winds and currents (inc. El Nino)
