Download Chapter 4-1: What causes climate?

Chapter 4: Climate
and Climate Change
Section 1: What Causes Climate
 Weather:
condition of the
atmosphere at a particular
place and time (short term)
 Climate: average conditions of
temperature, precipitation,
winds and clouds in an area
(long term)
What Causes Climate?
 Temperature
(cold or warm climate)
 Precipitation (dry or humid climate)
Factors Affecting Temperature
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Latitude
Altitude
Distance From Large Bodies of
Water
Ocean Currents
Latitude
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Latitude: The distance from the
equator measured in degrees
Temperature Zones
 Tropical Zones: warm climates
 Temperate Zones: ranging
temperatures
 Polar Zones: cold climates
Altitude
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Altitude: elevation above sea level
High land areas have cooler
climates
Higher altitudes = cooler
temperatures
Lower altitudes = warmer
temperatures
Distance From Large Bodies of Water
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Marine Climates: warmer
winters and cooler summers
Continental Climates: colder
winters and warmer summers
Ocean Currents
Oceans and lakes can affect
temperatures/climate
 Ocean Currents- streams of water within
the ocean that move in regular patterns
 3 examples: Gulf Stream, North Atlantic
Drift, California Current

Factors Affecting Precipitation
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Prevailing Winds
Mountain Ranges
Prevailing Winds
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movement of air masses caused by
directional winds in a region
The amount of water vapor in an air
mass influences how much rain or
snow will fall
The amount of water vapor in the
prevailing wind depends on where the
wind comes from
Mountain Ranges
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Air forced up the
mountain cools,
condenses, and
creates clouds
Falls as
precipitation on
windward side
Leeward side of
mountain has drier
conditions
Microclimates
 Microclimates:
small region with
specific climate conditions
 Examples:
parks, cities, areas near
lakes or ponds, gardens, etc.