Climate and Climate Change

Factors Affecting Precipitation Two main factors that determine the climate of a region –Prevailing Winds Air masses are moved from place to place –Mountain Ranges When humid winds blow from the ocean toward coastal mountains, the rising warm air cools and its water vapor condenses, forming clouds.

Factors Affecting Temperature Latitude –Tropical zones Between 23.5º north latitude and 23.5º south latitude Receives direct or nearly direct sunlight all year round

Factors Affecting Temperature –Polar zones Between 66.5º to 90º north and south latitudes Cold climates because the sun’s rays always strike at a lower angle near the North and South poles

Factors Affecting Temperature –Temperate zones Between tropical and polar zones Warm or hot in summer, cool or cold in winter

Latitudes

Factors Affecting Temperature Altitude –The temperature of the troposphere decreases about 6.5 Celsius degrees for every kilometer increase in altitude. –Highland areas everywhere have cool climates, regardless of latitude

Factors Affecting Temperature Distance from large bodies of water –Marine climates Winds from the ocean keep coastal regions from reaching extremes of hot and cold –Continental climates Extreme temperatures because they are too far inland to be warmed or cooled by the oceans

Factors Affecting Temperature Ocean Currents –Currents warm or cool the air above the ocean, then the air moves over nearby land –A warm current brings warm air to the land it touches –A cold current brings cool air

El Nino Warm water off the coast of Peru disrupts the cold ocean current and changes weather patterns there. Causes shifts in weather patterns around the world