CLIMATE WHAT IN FLUENCES the Climate of a region?

Weather or Climate? WEATHER is measured over a short period of time, and is measured primarily by temperature and precipitation. WEATHER is measured over a short period of time, and is measured primarily by temperature and precipitation. CLIMATE is the average of the weather over many years. CLIMATE is the average of the weather over many years.

LATITUDE Latitude is the primary influence on a Region’s climate. *Tropical Zones *Temperate Zones *Polar Zones

Tropics 0° through 23.5° N & S Latitude 0° through 23.5° N & S Latitude Every location in these regions receives direct sunlight at sometime during the year. Every location in these regions receives direct sunlight at sometime during the year. Temperatures are almost always HOT ! Temperatures are almost always HOT !

Temperate  23.5º through 66.5º N & S Latitude  Some direct and some indirect sunlight.  Has distinct seasons… Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter

POLAR 66.5º through 90º 66.5º through 90º N & S Latitude No direct sunlight…Bitterly COLD ! No direct sunlight…Bitterly COLD ! Long periods of darkness and light. Long periods of darkness and light.

ELEVATION How do mountains affect climate? Temperature Precipitation

Wind Wind is created in part by the Earth’s rotation. Wind is created in part by the Earth’s rotation. Hot air rises and circulates toward the poles. Hot air rises and circulates toward the poles. Cold air sinks and circulates toward the Equator. Cold air sinks and circulates toward the Equator. Wind helps cool the Earth’s surface. Wind helps cool the Earth’s surface.

Ocean Currents The rotation of the Earth creates currents. The rotation of the Earth creates currents. Warm water flows away from the Equator, toward the poles. Warm water flows away from the Equator, toward the poles. Cold water flows away from the poles, toward the Equator. Cold water flows away from the poles, toward the Equator. Currents influence the temperature and precipitation of a region. Currents influence the temperature and precipitation of a region.

Climate Is influenced by LATITUDE, ELEVATION, WIND and CURRENTS. Is influenced by LATITUDE, ELEVATION, WIND and CURRENTS.

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