Download 3.13.1 Handout – Factors that Affect Climate

Factors that Affect Climate
There is a lot of variety in Canada’s climate. To help you understand why this is, you should
remember 4 basic facts:
1. Canada is a very large country; it extends for a great distance from north to south and east
to west.
2. Different elevations produce different climate conditions.
3. Coastal regions have different climates from inland regions.
4. Wind and pressure systems move weather conditions from one part of the country to
another.
Six major factors affect climate. They are:
Latitude: There is a wide range in latitude in Canada. (41⁰N - 83⁰N) Distance
from the equator is a key (but not the only) factor that determines whether a
region has a hot climate or a cold one.
Ocean Currents: The temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature of
the air that passes over it. Whether or not an ocean current is considered warm
or cold depends on the water surrounding it. 15⁰ is warm if the surrounding
water is 12⁰ but cold is the surrounding water is 18⁰.
Winds and Air Masses: Air masses formed over water contain lots of moisture
and may release that moisture over land. Air masses formed over land are dry.
Air masses take on the temperature of the place they are formed and move across
the surface of Earth causing wind.
Elevation: Temperatures drop at higher altitudes. As air rises it expands because
of lower air pressure. As it expands, it cools.
Relief: Created by mountain barriers. As moist air rises against the windward
slope of a mountain it cools, condenses, and forms rain/snow. That cool air
descends down the other side of the mountain (leeward). As it does this it
contracts and becomes warmer. Precipitation decreases and creates a drier
climate (rain shadow). This can also happen in hilly areas like Georgian Bay.
Near Water: Areas far from oceans and other large bodies of water have
continental climate. There is no large body of water to moderate hot summer
temperatures and low winter temperatures. Coastal locations have maritime
climate. There is a small range in temperatures because of the moderating
effect of the large body of water.
Questions
Write in complete sentences.
1. Explain the difference between weather and climate:
2. List 3 types of precipitation and explain what happens to the air mass during each type.
3. Why are temperatures lower in the following situations:
a. moving further away from the equator
b. as you ascend a mountain
c. when a cool ocean current is near
d. at the windward side of a mountain