Factors that Affect Climate

Factors that determine Climate Latitude Prevailing winds Mountains Large bodies of water Ocean Currents

Latitude – is a measure of how far or close you are to the equator. Cooler further from the equator Warmer near the equator

1. Latitude The closer you are to the equator the warmer it is. The further away you are away, the cooler it gets. Different latitudes get different amounts of light and heat from the sun.

2. Proximity to Water Oceans, lakes, and swamps can change climate In the summer, the cooler water sends a cool breeze to the neighboring land, cooling the land and providing a nice breeze In cold states, the water is warmer than the land. The water sends a warmer breeze to the land, warming the land. This may result in less snowfall than inland.

Living in close proximity to the water helps cool the land in the summer time. The water is cooler than the land. When the wind runs over the water, it cools the breeze, which cools the land. Water is cooler than land. Cool breeze cools the land and provides a nice breeze.

In the winter time, the water is warmer than the land In the winter time, the water is warmer than the land. The breeze warms the land and provides milder weather for those who live on the coast. The coast often gets less snowfall, because the higher temperatures changes the snow to rain.

Swamps or Marshes Swamps have hot water. Swamps cause nearby areas to be hot and humid

Ocean Currents The circulation of ocean currents has a large effect on an area’s climate Surface currents are stream like movements of water that occur near the surface of the ocean As surface currents move, they carry warm or cool water to different locations The surface temperature of the water affects the temperature of the air above it. Warm currents cause warm temperatures Cool currents cause colder temperatures

3. Elevation Elevation is the height of surface landforms above sea level. The higher the elevation, the cooler it gets Mountains can influence an area’s climate by affecting the temperature and the precipitation. When warm, moist air bumps into a mountain, it rises and cools. As it cools, the water condenses and precipitates to form rain.

Answer these questions on the back of your note sheet What is the difference between weather and climate? List 5 factors that determine climate. How does latitude affect a local climate? Which of the following affects climate by causing the air to rise? A. mountains C. Large bodies of water B. Ocean Currents D. Latitude