1. What Factors Affect the Climate in Canada
Ms. K. Fawcett

2. There are 6 Factors that affect Climate:
They are:
Latitude
Ocean Currents
Winds and Air masses
Elevation
Relief
Near to Water
A useful acronym to help remember these factors is: LOWER NEAR WATER

3. Latitude and Climate
Latitude: gives the location of a place on earth, north or south of the border
Lines of Longitude: horizontal lines running east to west on a map
As you move away from the equator (either N or S) the average temperature decreases, but the temperature range increase

4. But, because the earth is curved, at certain points this
Why?
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
- low angle of incoming sunlight hits the north and south poles – less direct sunlight
Sunlight directly hits the equator overhead
the rays are spread out in the poles and more concentrated at the equator

5. Therefore, Temperature decreases as you move north or south of the equator because due to the curvature of the earth, less light from the sun is hitting per square meter.

6. Ocean Currents and Climate
An Ocean Current is Continuous, directed movement of ocean water.
The temperature of Ocean Currents can increase or reduce the temperature of nearby land areas.
Ocean winds blowing towards the shore will increase or decrease in temperature depending on the temperature of the ocean water.
EXAMPLE : North Atlantic Gulf Stream
Temperature of the current + surrounding water = overall current temperature
Current temperature affects
Air Temperature passing over it.
West Coast:
North Pacific Current = warm
- warmer air
- warmer BC climate
Labrador current meets Gulf
Stream and NFLD = FOG

7. Therefore,
Ocean currents affect climate because they influence the temperature of the air coming off the water.

8. Winds and Climate
Air Mass – large volume of air that takes on climate conditions
Wind – movement of air from high pressure to low pressure areas
Prevailing Wind – well established patterns of wind
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 takes on their climatic conditions,
Ocean air masses = lots of moisture and warm/cool
Land Air masses = very dry and warm/cool

9. Winds Affect Climate Air moves, High Pressure  Low pressure
 creates patterns called PREVAILING (Dominant) WINDS
 In Canada, blow west  to East
(Westerlies)
Warm winds blow from hot areas and will raise temperatures
Cold winds come from cold areas and decrease the temperature
= Move air masses  affects and changes weather

10. Jet Stream S of the Jet stream = WARM
The east to west movement of the jet stream controls the location of the polar front.
N of jet
Stream = COLD
This can have a MAJOR implications on weather.
If the jet stream shifts, there can be large shifts in temperature.
S of the Jet stream = WARM

12. Active Weather for Canada - Today

13. Therefore,
Winds affects climate by moving air masses that mimic climatic conditions and alter the position of the jet stream.

14. Elevation and Climate Mountain ranges affect climate on both sides
Temperatures decrease with Height.
Increase in elevation = decrease in temperature
Mountain ranges affect climate on both sides
The air is less dense and cannot hold heat as easily. This is how we have snow and ice at the tops of mountains
- As air rises up, it expands and
cools ,it will continue till the
forming of clouds, then it
becomes saturated
Results in precipitation
Rain, snow, freezing rain, hail

15. Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya

16. Therefore,
Increased elevation causes temperature decreases and precipitation increases

17. Elevation and Climate
The windward coastal side of the mountain range will receive lots of precipitation as it rises up over the mountain, the air cools and causes it to release the moisture.
This is called Orographic Precipitation
The other side of the mountain range will be in an air called the rain shadow, meaning that this area will not receive any moisture from prevailing winds.
No precipitation since it was lost on the other side of the mountain

18. Relief and Climate
Mountain barriers create relief precipitation

19. Therefore,
The presence of mountains will cause cooler and wetter climates on windward sides and drier and warmer climates on leeward sides

20. Near Water and Climate Land heats and cools faster than water
Therefore, coastal areas have a lower temperature range than those that are inland.

21. 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 bodies – coastal location)
Relatively small temperature range
A lot of precipitation
Mild winters and cool summers

22. Therefore,
The temperature range and amount of precipitation can be influenced by the proximity of the body of water.

23. What Climate Factor(s) Affect the following regions in Canada?

24. Cold Temperatures in the Arctic

25. Dry Areas in the B.C Interior

26. Fog in Newfoundland

27. Snow in British Columbia Mountains

28. Snow in Ontario

29. Heat in Ontario – Sauble Beach