Thursday 3/23/17 Notebook Entry: Make a list of words you would use to describe the climate of Montana. What factors do you think have an affect on our climate in Montana? REMINDER: If you did not turn in your Atacama Argument yesterday you need to do so today. If you were absent yesterday you need to write your argument in your packet and turn in Friday.

Climate Graph for Montana

Climate The average weather of a place over years. The climate of a region is determined by: Temperature Precipitation

Factors Affecting Temperature Latitude Altitude Distance from Large Bodies of Water Ocean Currents

LATITUDE DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE EARTH RECEIVE.

Temperature Zones Earth’s surface is divided into three temperature zones Tropical- receives nearly direct sun all year long and has a warm climate. Polar- sun’s rays strike at a lower angle and cause a cold climate. Temperate- In summer the sun’s rays strike more directly but in winter they strike at a lower angle. The climate is warm in the summer and cold in the winter.

ALTITUDE Due to fewer air molecules, the temperature gets colder as elevation/altitude gets higher.

DISTANCE FROM LARGE BODIES OF WATER Oceans make the temperatures of nearby land less extreme

OCEAN CURRENTS WARM CURRENTS BRING WARM AIR TO THE LAND IT PASSES OVER AND COLD CURRENTS BRINGS COOL AIR. Warm ocean currents carry warm water from the tropics toward the poles. Cold currents bring cold water from the polar zones toward the equator.