Download CGC1D FACTORS THAT AFFECT CLIMATE L.O.W.E.R.N. Latitude

CGC1D
FACTORS THAT AFFECT CLIMATE
L.O.W.E.R.N.
Latitude
- Canada’s southern most point is Middle Island in Lake Erie (41N)
- Canada’s northern most point is Cape Columbia, NU (83N)
- this range of 42 degrees latitude is almost the same as the distance between Ottawa and the Equator
-
distance from the Equator is very important as locations nearer the equator have warmer climates as the
Sun’s energy is more concentrated over a smaller area
Ocean Currents
-
temperature of an ocean current affects the air mass above
warm, North Pacific current heats air above it, warming coastal
B.C.
cold Labrador current meets warm Gulf Stream moving north off
coast of Newfoundland, creating foggy conditions (100 foggy days
per year)
Winds & Air Masses
- air masses that form over continents are typically dry
- air masses that form over oceans contain moisture and release precipitation when they reach land
- air has weight which is measured as air pressure
- warm air rises, creating a low pressure system
- cold air falls, creating a high pressure system
- air moves from high to low pressure areas, this is
called wind
- prevailing wind in Canada is
west to east (called westerlies)
- this means that most weather
systems move west to east
across Canada
- the Jet Stream is a current of
fast moving west to east air at
high altitudes
Elevation
- temperatures drop as you go higher in
elevation
- as air rises, it expands due to lower air
pressure
- as air expands it cools (loses energy)
- as air cools it reaches a temperature
where it is saturated with water vapour
- this is the dewpoint
- if it cools further it will cause
condensation
Relief
-
-
mountains create relief precipitation
moist air rises up windward side of
mountain, expands, and cools
dewpoint is reached and precipitation
(rain or snow) occurs
o ex. Vancouver, BC
leeward side of slope is drier creating a
rain shadow effect
o ex. Calgary, Alberta
Near Water
-
areas located far from oceans and large lakes have a continental climate
high temperature range, low precipitation
o ex. Regina, Saskatchewan
coastal locations have a maritime climate
water bodies have a moderating affect on land, are warmer in winter and cooler in summer
low temperature range, high precipitation
o ex. Halifax, Nova Scotia
the Great Lakes region is unique, as it is
classified as modified continental
o ex. Toronto, Ontario