Download Factors Affecting Climate Power Point

Factors that Affect
Climate
Note Page
Created by Nancy Robbins,
Sunnyside
Altitude
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The height of land above sea level
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Temperature drops as you go higher
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Elevation
• At higher elevations, air is thinner so it
holds less heat
Latitude
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The distance north or south of the
Equator, lines known as a “parallel”
Amount of direct sunlight an area receives
affects temperature
Sun shines directly on equator so it
is warmer, less direct sunlight at the
poles so it is colder.
Earth is tilted on its axis, so northern and
southern hemispheres receive more direct
sunlight in summer season, less in winter
season.
Topography
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Surface features
Humid air from the ocean rises and
cools – forms clouds and
precipitation
Mountain sides facing away from
oceans are typically very dry and air
is warm
* Rain Shadow-land down wind from
mountains
Oceans & Lakes
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Keeps weather from becoming to
extreme – moderate
Water temperatures change slower
than land temperatures
Winds from oceans/lakes affect land
temperature – cool ocean current = cool
winds; warm ocean currents = warm winds
Earth’s Winds
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Push warm and cold air masses
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Six belts – push moisture clouds, air
pollution moisture
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Doldrums – ‘trade winds’ meet near
equator, warm moist air, forms lots of
clouds
Climate Changes
La Nina
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Pacific Ocean – cold water rises
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Cold surface water moves west
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Warmer water is pushed west
causing more storms
El Nino
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Pacific Ocean – cold water goes
lower – surface water is warmer than
usual
Trade winds calm – western Pacific is
dry
Warm, moist air causes flooding in
other parts of Pacific
Volcanoes
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Particles thrown in air can spread
many miles
Particles can block sunlight and lower
temperatures
Sun Activity
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Sun spots and flares can raise
temperatures on earth
Carbon Dioxide

From burning fossil fuels

Causes global temperatures to rise

CO2 blocks heat from leaving Earth’s
atmosphere