Factors that Affect Factors that Affect ClimateClimate

Note PageNote Page

Created by Nancy Robbins, Sunnyside

AltitudeAltitude

The height of land above sea levelThe height of land above sea level

Temperature drops as you go higherTemperature drops as you go higher

ElevationElevation• At higher elevations, air is thinner so it At higher elevations, air is thinner so it

holds less heatholds less heat

LatitudeLatitude

The distance north or south of the Equator, The distance north or south of the Equator, lines known as a “parallel”lines known as a “parallel”

Amount of direct sunlight an area receives Amount of direct sunlight an area receives affects temperature affects temperature

Sun shines directly on equator so itSun shines directly on equator so it

is warmer, less direct sunlight at the poles is warmer, less direct sunlight at the poles so it is colder.so it is colder.

Earth is tilted on its axis, so northern and Earth is tilted on its axis, so northern and southern hemispheres receive more direct southern hemispheres receive more direct sunlight in summer season, less in winter sunlight in summer season, less in winter season.season.

TopographyTopography Surface featuresSurface features Humid air from the ocean rises and Humid air from the ocean rises and

cools – forms clouds and cools – forms clouds and precipitationprecipitation

Mountain sides facing away from Mountain sides facing away from oceans are typically very dry and air oceans are typically very dry and air is warmis warm

* * Rain Shadow-land down wind from Rain Shadow-land down wind from mountains mountains

Oceans & LakesOceans & Lakes

Keeps weather from becoming to Keeps weather from becoming to extreme – moderate extreme – moderate

Water temperatures change slower Water temperatures change slower than land temperaturesthan land temperatures

Winds from oceans/lakes affect land Winds from oceans/lakes affect land temperature temperature – – cool ocean current = cool cool ocean current = cool winds; warm ocean currents = warm windswinds; warm ocean currents = warm winds

Earth’s WindsEarth’s Winds

Push warm and cold air massesPush warm and cold air masses

Six belts – Six belts – push moisture clouds, air push moisture clouds, air pollution moisturepollution moisture

Doldrums – Doldrums – ‘trade winds’ meet near ‘trade winds’ meet near equator, warm moist air, forms lots of equator, warm moist air, forms lots of cloudsclouds

Climate ChangesClimate Changes

La NinaLa Nina

Pacific Ocean – cold water risesPacific Ocean – cold water rises

Cold surface water moves westCold surface water moves west

Warmer water is pushed west Warmer water is pushed west causing more stormscausing more storms

El NinoEl Nino

Pacific Ocean – cold water goes lower Pacific Ocean – cold water goes lower – surface water is warmer than usual– surface water is warmer than usual

Trade winds calm – western Pacific is Trade winds calm – western Pacific is drydry

Warm, moist air causes flooding in Warm, moist air causes flooding in other parts of Pacificother parts of Pacific

VolcanoesVolcanoes

Particles thrown in air can spread Particles thrown in air can spread many milesmany miles

Particles can block sunlight and lower Particles can block sunlight and lower temperaturestemperatures

Sun ActivitySun Activity

Sun spots and flares can raise Sun spots and flares can raise temperatures on earthtemperatures on earth

Carbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide

From burning fossil fuelsFrom burning fossil fuels

Causes global temperatures to riseCauses global temperatures to rise

CO2 blocks heat from leaving Earth’s CO2 blocks heat from leaving Earth’s atmosphereatmosphere