Climate

The climate of an area is determined by the average weather patterns over a long period of time

2 main factors determine the climate of a region: precipitation temperature

What factors influence temperature? Latitude: distance from the equator

The latitude of a location determines the amount of direct sunlight that a location receives.

The sun’s rays hit the Earth’s surface most directly at the Equator The sun’s rays hit the Earth’s surface most directly at the Equator. At the poles, the same amount of solar radiation is spread out. Flashlight demonstration

Close to equator = warmer climate Closer to poles = colder climate

2. Altitude: Height above sea level

Temperatures decrease As altitude increases

Closeness to oceans & large bodies of water

The temperature of water changes much more slowly than land. gizmo

As a result, locations near the oceans experience a milder climate (less extremes of hot & cold climates)

Ocean currents: warm water is carried up towards the poles, while cool water is transported down toward the equator

The water warms or cools the air above it The water warms or cools the air above it. The air then moves over the land. Warm currents bring warm air to the land it touches. Cold currents bring cool air.

What factors affect precipitation? Prevailing winds: air masses are moved from place to place by prevailing winds (the direction winds usually blow in a region)

Warm air carries more water vapor and as a result, brings more precipitation.

The hot, rising air near the equator results in heavy rains, supporting thick tropical rainforests

Sinking cooler air is usually dry Sinking cooler air is usually dry. Little or not rain falls, resulting in desert regions.

2. Mountain Ranges

As humid winds blow from the ocean toward coastal mountains, the air is forced to rise. As the rising warm air cools, the water vapor condenses, forms clouds, and then falls as precipitation. The precipitation falls on the windward side of the mountain

By the time the air reaches the other side of the mountain, it has lost most of its water vapor, so it is cool and dry. The land on the leeward side (downwind) is in the rain shadow