CLIMATE NOTES

Climate Is an areas weather pattern over a long period of time. (Weather is conditions day to day) Consists of Temperature Precipitation (rain, snow, etc. )

4 factors that affect climate 1. Latitude 2. Altitude 3. Wind/Mountains 4. Ocean currents

LATITUDE - Distance from the equator Climate gets colder that farther you get from the equator It doesn’t matter whether you move north or south. Compare the latitude of Bowling Green to Anchorage -

ALTITUDE (height above seal level) Higher altitude = cooler, drier climate Lower altitude =warmer wetter climate

Wind & Mountains Winds From ocean to land =wet winds. Rain will fall as air cools. From land to ocean =dry wind MOUNTAINS As wind climbs a mountain, it cools and causes precipitation. This is the windward side of the mountain. Wind that makes it over the top is dried out called leeward side of the mountain.

Ocean Currents Currents can warm or cool water from one part of the world to another. Water warms or cools the air above it. Water cools and warms slower than air Ocean currents generally make a climate milder.