factors affecting climate

Factors Affecting ClimateFactors Affecting Climate

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/

Climate vs. WeatherClimate vs. Weather

•WeatherWeather is the is the day to day day to day conditions of the conditions of the atmosphere. atmosphere. – TemperatureTemperature– PrecipitationPrecipitation

Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate

•ClimateClimate is the daily is the daily weather conditions weather conditions of a place (station) of a place (station) averaged over a averaged over a long period; long period; generally on a generally on a yearly basisyearly basis

Why is there a big difference in Why is there a big difference in climate across Canada?climate across Canada?

6 Factors That Affect 6 Factors That Affect Climate:Climate:

1.1.LatitudeLatitude

2.2.Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

3.3.Wind & Air MassesWind & Air Masses

4.4.ElevationElevation

5.5.ReliefRelief

6.6.Nearness to WaterNearness to Water

6 Factors That Affect 6 Factors That Affect Climate:Climate:

1.1.LLatitudeatitude

2.2.OOcean Currentscean Currents

3.3.WWind & Air ind & Air MassesMasses

4.4.EElevationlevation

5.5.RReliefelief

6.6.NNear Waterear Water

1. Latitude1. Latitude

• The farther you The farther you are located from are located from equator the less equator the less energy you energy you receivereceive

• Less energy = Less energy = lower lower temperaturetemperature

• Link

http://atropos.as.arizona.edu/aiz/teaching/a250/lecture1.html

http://www.astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/TeachRes/Artwork/Sky/Equator_earth.gif

http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/climate/sun_radiation_at_earth.html

2. Ocean Currents2. Ocean Currents

• Water closer to Water closer to the equator is the equator is warmer as it warmer as it absorbs more absorbs more energy from the energy from the sunsun

• Water Water warms/cools the warms/cools the air above itair above it

http://www.galapagosonline.com/nathistory/Oceanography/Currents.html

3. Winds and Air Masses3. Winds and Air Masses

• Air heated or cooled Air heated or cooled by by land or water land or water

• Hot air Hot air rises, cold air rises, cold air fallsfalls

• Air moves from high Air moves from high to low pressure = to low pressure = windwind

• Established winds Established winds are called are called Prevailing Prevailing windswinds– Westerlies Westerlies blow blow

fromfrom west to east west to east

http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect14/Sect14_1c.html

http://weatherstreet.com/weatherquestions/jet_stream.jpg

Boundary between cold and warm air system is called the Polar front.Above it is fast moving air called the jet stream.

4. Elevation4. Elevation

• As air rises, it As air rises, it expands & coolsexpands & cools– LowerLower air pressure air pressure

• As air cools, it leads As air cools, it leads to to condensationcondensation– Clouds turn to Clouds turn to

rain/snowrain/snow

• Rate of cooling: Rate of cooling: 1°C/100m1°C/100m

5. Relief5. Relief1.1. Air rises up the Air rises up the

windwardwindward slopeslope of a of a mountain, expands & mountain, expands & coolscools

2.2. When clouds become When clouds become too heavy, precipitation too heavy, precipitation occursoccurs

3.3. As cold air descends on As cold air descends on the the leeward slopeleeward slope, it , it contracts and becomes contracts and becomes warmer. warmer.

4.4. A A rain shadowrain shadow is created is created as most of the moisture as most of the moisture was already released was already released (Relief Precipitation)(Relief Precipitation)

6. Nearness to Water6. Nearness to Water• The temperature of water The temperature of water

changes changes slowlyslowly

• Temperature of air & land Temperature of air & land changes more quicklychanges more quickly

• 2 distinct climates:2 distinct climates:– ContinentalContinental Climate (not Climate (not

near water)near water)• GreatGreat temperature range temperature range

• LessLess precipitation precipitation

– MaritimeMaritime Climate (near Climate (near water)water)• SmallSmall temperature range temperature range

• MoreMore precipitation precipitation

Maritime vs. ContinentalMaritime vs. Continental

Maritime vs. ContinentalMaritime vs. Continental

Review: Factors That Affect Review: Factors That Affect ClimateClimate

1.1. LatitudeLatitude

2.2. Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents

3.3. Wind & Air MassesWind & Air Masses

4.4. ElevationElevation

5.5. ReliefRelief

6.6. Nearness to WaterNearness to Water

Review: Factors That Affect Review: Factors That Affect ClimateClimate

1.1. LLatitudeatitude

2.2. OOcean Currentscean Currents

3.3. WWind & Air Massesind & Air Masses

4.4. EElevationlevation

5.5. RReliefelief

6.6. NNearness to Water earness to Water

Read pages 145 to 153 Read pages 145 to 153 and answer the questions and answer the questions

on the bottom of your on the bottom of your handout.handout.