Climate Zones Climate zones are divided into regions with differences in two key characteristics: Amount of moisture (rain), and Typical temperature range through the year These two characteristics are affected by four influencing factors: Latitude Altitude Nearness to water Direction of atmosphere and ocean currents  WRITE THIS DOWN !

Latitude Due to the Earth’s tilt, the amount of sun energy changes over the earth’s surface… Polar (High Latitude) zone – either mild temps. or extreme cold Temperate (Mid-Latitude) zone – seasonal, most varied climates Tropical (Low Latitude) zone – year-round direct sunlight, always hot RULE: The HIGHER the latitude, the COLDER the temps.

Altitude (Elevation) Higher elevation = thinner air, therefore less air to hold heat. This makes it colder. RULE – The HIGHER the elevation, the COLDER the temperatures.

30 degree change in Houston 45 degree change in Denver Nearness to Water Land heats up and cools down QUICKLY. Water heats up and cools down SLOWLY. Therefore, water acts like a blanket… holding heat and releasing it slowly. This results in smaller daily and seasonal temperature changes near large bodies of water. “Coastal” areas are humid, “continental” areas are dry 30 degree change in Houston 45 degree change in Denver

Direction of Currents Global wind and ocean currents transfer heat and moisture around the world, and help carry moisture from the oceans to the land Warm water moving toward the land brings moisture (H2O) Warm water moving parallel to the coast brings heat, no H2O Cool water brings cool, dry air -> mild or desert climates

How it Works... Tropical Wet Climate Latitude – in the tropics HOT Altitude – low land doesn’t stop air flow until mtns. in the west Nearness – flat land “acts coastal”, allows moisture inland Direction – air flow brings in warm, moist air from the ocean which then hits the mountain and rains