Download climate connections

CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
WEATHER OR CLIMATE?
Planning a winter ski vacation to Whistler.
Planning a day of golf in July.
Purchasing a new summer wardrobe.
WEATHER – DAY TO DAY
CLIMATE – AVERAGED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
4 REASONS WHY CANADA HAS A WIDE VARIETY OF
CLIMATES…
1) Canada is big North to South
2) Canada has many different elevations
3) Coastal regions have different climates from inland
regions
4) Wind and pressure systems move weather conditions
across the country
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
6 FACTORS THAT AFFECT CLIMATE:
1) Latitude
2) Ocean currents
3) Winds and air masses
4) Elevation
5) Relief
6) Nearness to water
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE…
1) LATITUDE
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE…
2) OCEAN CURRENTS
Temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature
of the air that passes over it.
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE…
3) WINDS & AIR MASSES
Air Mass:
Immense body of air
Moves over the earth’s surface
Takes on the characteristics of their source regions
They MOVE!! Making WIND
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
Air Mass Classification
Label
Interpretation
Source
Characteristics
cA
Continental
Arctic
Over land
Arctic region
Dry
Very cold
mT
Maritime
Tropical
Over water
Tropics
Wet
Hot
mP
Maritime
Polar
Over water
55N – 66N
Wet
Cold
cT
Continental
Tropical
Over land
Tropics
Dry
Hot
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE…
4) Elevation
Air cools as it rises
1 degree per 100m (before condensation)
0.6 degrees per 100 m (after condensation)
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE…
5) Relief
Air cools as it rises over landforms (Western Cordillera)
Condensation occurs (rain/snow)
Rain shadow
CLIMATE CONNECTIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE…
6) Nearness to water
Oceans and lakes heat up and cool down at a slower rate
than the land
Summer – water remains cooler
Winter – water remains warmer
Wind blowing off of the bodies of water cool or warm the
surrounding land