Canadian Geography 1202

Canada’s Climate Systems

Weather and Climate

• The weather and climate in Canada is very different from place to place. Why?

• There’s a global system of climate that’s always changing.

• It’s made up of the atmosphere, the circulation of water in the oceans, and differences in landforms from place to place.

The Sun

• The sun provides us with solar energy, which heats the air and the surface of the Earth.

• Since the Earth is curved, the equator receives more heat than the poles.

Angle of Sun’s Rays on Earth

• This heat imbalance kicks the winds and ocean currents in gear in an attempt to even out global temperatures.

• Polar air moves toward the equator and air from the equator moves to the poles.

• The oceans store and transport heat.

Ocean Currents in Canada

Air Masses in Canada

Air Masses in Canada

• There are six air masses that affect Canada. • They are all named based on where they

originate.• See pg. 81 for air masses in Canada.

Air Masses in Canada

• Wind blows these air masses across Canada.

• If a cold dry air mass passes over an ocean, it picks up moisture and warmth from it.

• Storms usually occur at the edge of air masses, called fronts.

The Polar Jet Stream

• A current of air that blows from west to east across Canada.

• Speeds of 300-500 km/h.

• It is the barrier between cold air in the north and warm air in the south.

• Meteorologists use the position of the jet stream to predict the weather.

• Airline pilots need to know where it is when they fly.

The Weather in Canada

• We get the weather reports from the Internet, TV, newspapers, and the radio.

• We check it to know what to wear each day and whether or not events will be cancelled.