Climatology Topic V

I. Climate: the average weather in a particular area over a long period of time. A. Factors Affecting Climate: 1. Latitude 2. Altitude 3. Ocean Currents 4. Topography (mountains) 5. Closeness to water

B. Latitude: influences temperature patterns in an area. 1. Low Latitudes: angle/duration of insolation is high keeping temps. Constant throughout the year. 2. High latitudes: angle of insolation is low, but the duration varies causing temp. changes throughout the year.

C. Altitude (elevation): influences temp C. Altitude (elevation): influences temp. and moisture patterns of a region. 1. Low elevations: have more stable temp. and moisture. 2. High elevations: have lower temps. and greater precipitation.

D. Ocean Currents: created by global winds and can alter the temp D. Ocean Currents: created by global winds and can alter the temp. of a region. (page 4 in ref. Tables) 1. Warm currents: warm the air at higher latitudes. (ex. Gulf stream) 2. Cool Currents: cools the temp. of lower latitudes. (ex. Canary)

3. El Nino: is a warm surface current that brings heavy rains to the west coast of the U.S. and South America.

* Air expands and cools (adiabatically) E. The Orographic (mountain) Effect: mountains act as barriers to local weather and prevailing winds. 1. Windward Side: * Warm, moist air rises * Air expands and cools (adiabatically) * Clouds form and create precipitation. windward

Region is arid (dry) and warm YouTube - orograhpic rain (1-31) 2. Leeward Side: * air descends * Warms by compression Region is arid (dry) and warm YouTube - orograhpic rain (1-31) windward leeward

F. Bodies of Water: the slow heating and cooling of water can modify temperatures. 1. Marine Climate: cool summers and warmer winters with little temperature range. (ex. Long Island) 2. Continental Climate: hot summers and cold winters with large temp. ranges. (ex. Midwest region)