AIM: What Are The Factors that Affect Climate ? ©Mark Place, 2008-2009 www.LearnEarthScience.com

Objective: Identify five factors that affect climate and explain how each affects climate.

1) Latitude

As latitude ________, the average annual temperature _________. How does latitude affect climate? As latitude ________, the average annual temperature _________. increases decreases Temperature 0° Latitude 90°

Specific Heat Specific heat capacity Ability to capture or release heat The larger the SPECIFIC HEAT is, the more difficult it is to change heat / temperature in the object

Specific Heat continued look at the ESRT p. 1 Specific heat of WATER…4.18 J/g·°C Specific heat of Basalt… 0.84 J/g·°C (This relates to land e.g. land has rocks / soil )

2) Closeness to Large Bodies of Water

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers. _______ winters. How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate? Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers. _______ winters. moderates Cooler Warmer Cities A & B are located at the same latitude. City B is closer to a large body of water. Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

3) Orographic Effect expands

3. Orographic Effect..cont..

The Windward Side of a Mountain receives More Rain The Leeward (opposite the Wind) Side receives Less Rain…and therefore is Drier and Warmer

The leeward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills receive much less precipitation The windward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills receive a great deal more precipitation

Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________ How does the Orographic Effect affect climate? Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________ cool, moist warm, dry

4) Elevation

We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases Elevation Page 14 of the ESRTs We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases with elevation.

During summer, temperature is strongly controlled by elevation -- cold at the higher reaches of the Alaska and Brooks Ranges, and warmer in the lowlands.

As elevation _________, the average annual temperature __________. How does elevation affect climate? As elevation _________, the average annual temperature __________. increases decreases Temperature Elevation

5) Ocean Currents

The Gulf Stream

Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate How do ocean currents affect climate? Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate