Download What Factors Affect the Climate in Canada

What Factors Affect the
Climate in Canada
There are 6
They are:
factors that affect climate in Canada.
 Latitude
 Ocean Currents
 Winds and Air Masses
 Elevation
 Relief
 being Near to Water
A useful acronym to help remember these factors is :
LOWER Near Water
Latitude and Climate
Latitude: gives the location of a
place on Earth north or south of
the equator -measured in
degrees
The hottest places on Earth are found at
the equator
As you move AWAY from the
equator (either N or S) the average
temperature decreases, and the
temperature range increases.
Temperature Range: Temperature difference between
the coldest monthly temperature and the warmest
average monthly temperature.
Why does this occur?
The amount of energy hitting any spot on the earth is equal
But, Because the earth is curved, at certain points this energy is
spread out over larger distances
Therefore,
Temperature
decreases as you
move north or south
of the equator,
because of Earth’s
curvature. Less light
from the sun is hitting
per square meter the
further you travel from
the equator.
Ocean Currents and Climate
•An ocean current is continuous movement
of water along the ocean’s surface
•Ocean currents bring warmer water from
the equatorial areas
Ocean Currents and Climate
•Current temperature
affects air temperature
passing over it
West coast:
North Pacific current = warm
 warmer air
 Warm BC climate
Cold Labrador current
meets Warm Gulf stream
near Newfoundland,
creating a foggy climate
Therefore,
Ocean currents affect climate because they
influence the temperature of the air coming off the
water.
Winds and Climate
Using your textbook, pg 148, define the following terms:
Air mass:
Large volume of air that takes on climatic conditions .
Wind:
Movement of air from high pressure to low pressure areas.
Prevailing wind:
Well-established patterns of winds
Polar front:
Boundary between dry, polar air and warm, wet tropical air
Jet stream:
West to east movement of air high above polar front
Because air masses take on their climatic conditions,
Ocean air masses = lots of moisture + warm/cool
Land air masses = very dry + warm/cool
Winds affects Climate?
Air moves,
High Pressure
Low Pressure
Creates patterns called PREVAILING WINDS
In Canada, blow West
(WESTERLIES)
East
Move air masses
(affects and changes weather)
JET STREAM
The east to west movement of the jet stream controls the location of the
polar front.
N of jet stream =
COLD
S of jet stream =
WARM
This can have MAJOR implications on weather
If the jet stream shifts, there can be large shifts in temperature
Therefore,
Winds affect climate by moving air masses
that mimic climatic conditions, and alter the
position of the jet stream
Elevation and Climate
Increase in elevation = decrease in temperature
As elevation
increases, air
density decreases,
causing heat in the
air to be released
Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya
Therefore,
Increased
elevation
causes
temperature
decreases
Relief and Climate
Mountain barriers create relief precipitation
Therefore,
The presence of mountains will cause cooler
and wetter climates on windward sides of
the mountains near bodies of water, and
drier and warmer climates on leeward sides.
Near Water and Climate
Continental Climate
(Not close to body of water)
Interior locations
Maritime Climate
(Close to large water body)
Coastal locations
Near Water and Climate
Continental Climate
(Not close to body of water)
Interior locations
• Large temp range (hot
=summer, cold =winter)
•Low amounts of precipitation
Maritime Climate
(Close to large water body)
Coastal locations
•Relatively small temp range
•A lot of precipitation compared
to continental climate
Therefore,
The temperature
range and
amount of
precipitation can
be influenced by
the proximity to
a large body of
water
What Climate Factor(s) is
Affecting the following regions
in Canada?
Cold temperatures in Artic
Dry area in B.C. interior
Fog in Newfoundland
Snow in BC mountains