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Climate and Weather
Climate Controls and Precipitation
Climates of Canada

Continental Climate


the climate of a continent’s interior
it is a climate of temperature extremes and
low precipitation
Maritime Climate


a coastal climate, usually referring to the
West Coast
it is a climate of mild temperatures and high
precipitation
Latitude & Altitude
 Latitude

the higher the latitude the lower the average
annual temperature and the greater annual
temperature range
Altitude

the higher the altitude, the lower the
temperature
Distance from Sea
 Because
land and water heat and cool at
different rates, a large land mass such as
western Canada can swing between
temperature extremes.

maritime vs. continental climates
Ocean Currents
 Ocean
currents affect the temperature of
the land by warming or heating the air
blowing over them.
 Warm
air can absorb more water than cold
air. Hence, the west coast enjoys a mild,
wet climate.
Ocean Currents
Mountain Barriers
 If
mountain ranges lie across the path of
prevailing winds, they have an affect on
temperature, cloudiness and precipitation
 The
heaviest rains of Canada fall on the
western slopes of the coastal and interior
mountains of British Columbia
Types of Precipitation
Orographic Precipitation
A more moist climate usually prevails on
the windward side of a mountain than on
the leeward (downwind) side.
Moisture is removed by orographic lift,
leaving drier air on the descending
(generally warming), leeward side where a
rain shadow is observed.[
Orographic Precipitation
Convectional Precipitation
 Associated
with hot climates
 Is
brought about by rising and abrupt
cooling of air that has been warmed by
extreme heat on the ground surface
 In
Canada, convectional rainfall is most
common on the Prairies during the
summer
Convectional Precipitation
Frontal Precipitation
 Takes
place at the boundary, or front,
between a mass of warm air from the
tropics and a mass of cold air from the
poles.
 Water
vapour in the warm air is chilled and
condenses to form clouds and rain.
Frontal Precipitation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5E3P_XuV6E
Climate Graphs