Bismarck

The Factors that Affect Climate ©Mark Place, 2007-2008 www.LearnEarthScience.com

Identify five factors that affect climate and explain how each effects climate.

1 - Latitude

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

2 - Coastal vs. Continental areas

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

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. Smaller RANGE of temps. City B is closer to a large body of water. Its temperature line is flatter (more even).

3 - Orographic Uplift

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

Orographic Uplift When most people think about the Pacific Northwest, they immediately think non-stop rain. While Seattle and the rest of the Puget Sound certainly live up to this expectation, life is much different on the other side of the Cascades. Living in the Yakima Valley or the Columbia Basin is just like living in any of the desert areas of California, Nevada, or Utah.

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

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

California Current

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