Climate and Weather What factors play in to a place’s weather patterns?

Altitude: Need to Know At points of higher elevation, air temperature is much, much colder. Humidity also drops at areas Of higher altitude. For every 1000 feet : 3.5 degree drop.

Latitude and Tilt: Need to Know As the earth revolves around the sun, it tilts on its axis (23.5 degrees). Whichever point of the earth is most in line with the sun receives it rays most directly, while points further away receive less direct heat from the sun and are colder. Points at the Poles: never close enough to receive much direct light and are always cold. Point in the tropics: never far from direct light and are always warm. Points between 23.5 and 66.5: get distinct seasons because of planetary tilt.

Latitude and Tilt: Nice to Know  When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere it is summer in the Southern (and vice versa)  When the equator is receiving the sun’s most direct rays it is called an equinox. There are two equinoxes: fall (autumnal) and spring (vernal).  When the Tropic of Cancer is most directly receiving the sun’s rays, it is known as the Summer Solstice.  When the Tropic of Capricorn is most directly receiving the sun’s rays it is known as the Winter Solstice.

Distance from large bodies of water: Need to Know Large bodies of water have a much more consistent temperature than land does, meaning that even in extreme heat and cold water temperature will vary little. Winds blowing off the water take on its temperature, making the land nearby warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. In the winter: a large body of water Warms up the land In the summer: a large body of Water cools down the land.

Topography: Need to Know As air from the coast ascends a mountain, the air begins to cool and clouds form from this moisture. As the clouds become more dense, some of the moisture falls to the earth as precipitation. As the air descends the opposite side, the air heats up, and the clouds thin out and disappear. For this reason: the sides of mountains facing oceans are often wet. The sides of mountains facing away from oceans are often dry. oceans are often dry.

Topography: Nice to Know  The sides of mountains facing away from oceans are said to have a “rain shadow”. This means the air and land are incredibly dry due to the effects of topography.