1. LAMECOWS Factors Affecting Climate & Weather vs. Climate

2.  Weather  condition of the atmosphere in one place during a short period of time.  Climate  weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time.

3.  Revolution  Orbit around the sun  Rotation  Earth rotates on its axis - 24 hours – from west to east.  Tilt  Earth is tilted at 23 ½ ° differing the amount of sunlight throughout the year. Creating Seasons

4.  Equinox  March 21 and September 23, suns rays on the equator. Spring and Fall  Solstice  June 21, north hemisphere receives the most sun, Dec 22 Southern hemisphere receives most sun. Summer and Winter. Creating Seasons

6. Eight Factors That Affect Climate L atitude A ir Pressure M ountain Barriers E levation C ontinental Location O cean Currents W ind Currents S torms

7. L atitude  Most important factor affecting climate  Climate changes as you move North or South  Equator = direct rays = hot  Poles = indirect rays = cold

8. Climate Zones

9. A ir Pressure  L = low pressure  warm, moist air rises → forms clouds → storms.  H = high pressure  cold dry air → sinks → stable and clear.

10. M ountain Barriers  a.k.a. - Orographic Effect  a.k.a. – Rain Shadow  Windward side  Lots of rain  Leeward side  A rain shadow, which means little to no rain  Can create a desert climate

11. E levation  Second most important factor affecting climate  How far above sea level you are.  Every 1,000 feet temperature changes 3.5°F.

12. C ontinental Location  Water heats and cools more slowly than land.  Coastline areas have stable temperature.  Interiors of continent have extreme temperature changes.

13. O cean Currents  Warm-water currents flow from the equator to the poles.  Cold water currents flow from the poles to the equator.  Coriolis effect – The currents circular patterns are opposite of one another due to the Earth’s rotation.  Northern Hemisphere flow clockwise  Southern Hemisphere flow counter clockwise.

14. W ind Currents  Air in high pressure rushes into areas of low pressure – this causes wind.  Helps to distribute earth’s heat.  Also affected by the Coriolis effect

15. S torms  Clashes between warm and cold air masses  Hurricanes – tropical storms moving heat from tropics.  Tornadoes – powerful funnel shaped spiraling air.