What Causes Climate?

Climate Weather is day-to-day events in local areas. Climate, refers to the average, year-after-year conditions of… temperature precipitation winds clouds in an area. Two main factors determine the climate of a region.

Factors Affecting Temperature The main factors that influence temperature are… Latitude Altitude Distance from large bodies of water Ocean currents

Latitude

Latitude Climates of locations farther from the equator are cooler than climates of areas closer to the equator. The sun's rays hit Earth's surface most directly at the equator. The tropical zone is the area near the equator, between about 23.5° north latitude and 23.5° south latitude. The temperate zones are between the tropical and the polar zones—from about 23.5° to 66.5° north and 23.5° to 66.5° south latitudes. The polar zones extend from about 66.5° to 90° north and 66.5° to 90° south latitudes.

Altitude Highland areas everywhere have cool climates, no matter what their latitude.

Distance From Large Bodies of Water Oceans or large lakes can affect temperatures. Oceans make temperatures of nearby land less extreme. Most coasts have mild marine climates. relatively warm winters and cool summers. Most areas inland have continental climates. Continental climates have more extreme temperatures than marine climates. Winters are cold, while summers are warm or hot.

Ocean Many marine climates are influenced by ocean currents. Warm and cold ocean water flow throughout the world. Waves, caused by wind transfer heat energy from one place to another. Oceans provide necessary moisture for hurricanes to develop.

Factors Affecting Precipitation The main factors that affect precipitation are Prevailing winds The presence of mountains

Evaporation Evaporation adds water vapor to the atmosphere. Maritime air masses form over large bodies of water.

Prevailing Winds Weather patterns depend on the movement of huge air masses. Air masses are moved from place to place by prevailing winds.

Mountain Ranges A mountain range in the path of prevailing winds can influence where precipitation falls. Rain or snow falls on the windward side of the mountains, the side the oncoming wind hits. The land on the leeward side of the mountains—downwind—is in a rain shadow.

The Seasons Most places on Earth outside the tropics have four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn

Tilted Axis The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis as Earth travels around the sun. The axis is an imaginary line through Earth's center that passes through both poles. Earth turns, or rotates, around this axis once each day.