Download Factors Affecting Climate

Climate Factors
Latitude
Latitude
• The amount of sunlight never
varies.
• It spreads over larger areas near
the poles because of the curve of
the Earth.
• A larger area means a wider
distribution of the limited energy.
Ocean Currents
Ocean Currents
• Temperature of
ocean current affects
temperature of air
that passes over it.
• This air warms or
cools the land nearby.
For example…
• East Coast of Canada: cold Labrador Current
• West Coast of Canada: warm North Pacific Current
Winds (and Pressure)
Winds (and Pressure)
• Air travels from
areas of high
pressure to low
pressure.
• This travel is what
we call wind.
• These differences
in pressure are
caused by uneven
heating of the land.
A conveyor belt of wind
Winds (and Pressure)
• Wind named after
the direction
from which it flows
i.e. Westerlies
come from the
west.
• Winds around the
Equator are called
“trade winds”, and
are also named for
the direction they
come from.
Winds (and Pressure)
Some terms…
Prevailing Winds – a well-established pattern of winds
that blow from west to east (in Canada). These move
the air masses that affect our weather.
Jet Stream – a current of fast-moving air high in the
atmosphere (close to the tropopause, beyond which is
little to no weather at all). Moves 300-500 km/h.
Coriolis Effect – The deflection of moving objects (wind!)
due to the Earth’s rotation. Angles away from the
Equator.
Elevation
Elevation
• Temperatures continue to descend about -1 degree
Celsius per 100 metres until you reach the tropopause
(after that, things get wonky!)
• This is called the (Dry) Temperature Lapse Rate.
• When evaporation starts to occur, temperatures
descend at only -0.6 degrees Celsius per 100 metres.
• This is called the (Wet) Temperature Lapse Rate.
Relief
Relief
• Refers to differences in
elevation on the planet.
• Relief acts as a barrier
system for the movement
of air masses (wind).
Being at a high elevation affects climate, but so does
being at a low elevation with high elevations around
you!
Relief
Nearness to Water
Nearness to Water
Water is awesome.
It has many qualities
that affect heat
absorption and
radiation:
• Transparency (depth)
• Evaporation (phase change)
• Fluidity (movement)
• Higher Heat Capacity