The Natural Environment of Washington Northwest Studies Summer School

What Makes Up the Natural Environment 4 Factors that create the Natural Environment Location (longitude and latitude) Physical features (oceans, peninsulas, islands, rivers, beaches, etc.) Landforms (physical features that have experienced change over time) 5 Categories – mountains, hills, plains, plateaus and river valleys Climate (the average weather conditions over a long period of time) Two measures of climate – temperature and precipitation Soil

Rainshadow Effect Single greatest effect on the overall climate of Washington Rainshadow effect is caused by tall mountains The Olympic and Cascade mountains provide a physical barrier to evaporated water as it travels east. Water is deposited on the windward side (west side) of the mountains and when the clouds reach the leeward side (east side) they contain significantly less moisture. The result is a state divided by the Cascade Mountains with a moist west side and a dry east side.

Types of Climates 3 Types of climates in Washington West Coast Marine Mild winter temperatures between 35 and 55 degrees and Wild Summer temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees. Makes up most of Western Washington, and the Puget Sound region. Semiarid Precipitation is very low between 5-20 inches annually. Winter’s average temperature is between 25-40 degrees and summer temperatures average between 80 and 90 degrees. Makes up most of Eastern Washington Highland Found at elevations over 3000 feet. Summers are short and cool and winters are long and cold. Precipitation is high and often falls as snow. Snowcapped peaks year round are common.

Geographic Regions All of the natural environmental factors combined creates 7 distinct geographic regions in Washington. Olympic Peninsula Willapa Hills The Puget Lowlands The Cascade Mountains The Okanogan Highlands The Columbia Basin The Blue Mountains

The Olympic Peninsula Located in the northwest corner of Washington Physical features include the Olympic Mountains, Hurricane Ridge, Cape Flattery, and Neah Bay. There are many different rivers and freshwater lakes. The lower elevations have a West Coast Marine climate and the higher elevations have a Highland climate. This area receives more precipitation than any other area in the continental United States. Forests flourish due to the abundant rainfall and mild temperatures. The Hoh Rainforest is the only rainforest in the lower 48 states.

Willapa Hills Located in the southwestern corner of Washington. Lowland forested area. West Coast Marine climate 3 distinct coastal indentations include the Columbia River mouth, Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. The Pacific Ocean provides warm moist air masses. Precipitation is frequent and consistent. 3 sandy beaches include Long Beach, Ocean Shores and Kalaloch

The Puget Lowlands A narrow region surrounding the Puget Sound stretching from Canada to the Columbia River. Hundreds of miles of tidal shorelines, islands and peninsulas. Many major river valleys and flood plains. West Coast Marine climate throughout, mild winters and summers, with abundant rainfall during the winter. Large variety of vegetation and wildlife. Floods throughout the region are common. Storms coming off the Pacific can result in violent windstorms.

Cascade Mountains Located east of the Puget Lowlands stretching from Canada to the Columbia River Gorge. Cascade mountains have 3 different climates based on elevation and location. The west side of the mountains below 3,000 feet have a West Coast Marine climate. The east side below 3,000 feet is Semiarid and above 3,000 feet is a Highland climate. Volcanic mountain chain The elevation changes result in 4 different habitats for wildlife and vegetation. The higher elevations have snowcapped mountains and approximately 750 glaciers.

Okanogan Highlands Located in the Northeastern corner of Washington. Geologically, it is part of the Rocky Mountains Lower elevation regions have a Semiarid climate and higher elevations have a Highland climate. Erosion has left little topsoil due to glaciation Rocky terrain is home to many large herbivores such as mountain goats, caribou, elk and moose. The carnivores in the area include mountain lions, grizzly bears, black bears, and gray wolves.

Columbia Basin Located east of the Cascades, west of the Rockies and south of the Okanogan Highlands down to the Columbia River. Called a basin as it is surrounded by mountains with no direct access to the ocean. It is mostly plateau with a Semiarid climate. Very little precipitation and droughts are common. The soil is very fertile due to massive floods from Lake Missoula over 15,000 years ago. Small wildlife and vegetation are abundant.

Blue Mountains Located in the southeastern corner of Washington Smallest geographical region of Washington Mostly made up of dry grasslands and large forests in the higher elevations. Elevations reach as high as 6,700 feet and receive more precipitation. Lower elevations have a Semiarid climate Higher elevations have a Highland climate. Blue Mountains have more gradual elevation changes and few mountain peaks. Blue Mountains continue into northern Oregon and Idaho.

Assignments Ch.1 P. 34 Short Answer (SA) #1-15 Ch.2 P. 67 SA #1-8