September 20, 2012 Factors that affect climate

LAMECOWS Factors That Effect Climate

Weather vs Climate Weather: Atmospheric conditions over a SHORT time (day - NOW)

More Weather Precipitation: Moisture that falls from the sky. RAIN, SNOW, SLEET & HAIL!

Climate Climate: Atmospheric conditions over a LONG time (YEARS)

World Climate Regions

LAMECOWS L-atitude A-ir Pressure M-ountain Barriers E-levation C-ontinentalality O-cean Currents W-ind Belts S-torms

Latitude °N or °S of equator Equator = direct rays = hot Poles = very indirect rays = cold Biggest effect on climate!!

Latitude: Earth Sun Relations

Air Pressure Unequal heating of earth’s surface Low pressure = warm, moist air → rises; forms clouds →storms High pressure = cold, dry air → sinks → clear weather

Mountain Barriers Rain shadow Effect: Mountains block wind & rain Windward side (Wet) Leeward side (Dry)

Elevation Increase in elevation = Decrease in temperature

Continentality Oceans collect solar energy Water heats & cools slower than land, so … 1.Coast = stable temp. 2.Interior = extreme temps. (hotter & colder)

Ocean Currents 1. Giant rivers of sea water flowing on ocean surface 2. Flow in circular paths: Warm currents carry water low → high lats., Cool currents carry water high → low lats.

Ocean Currents

Wind Belts “Wind” = air movement from high pressure to low pressure (ex. poke a hole in a tire)

Wind Belts Trade Winds: high P (30°) → low P (0°) Westerlies: high P (30°) → low P (60°) (ex. U.S. weather from west →east) Polar winds: → bring cold air from poles (90° → 60°)

Storms Occur during low pressure conditions. Storm front = when two air masses with different temperatures meet.

Storms Thunderstorms: Fronts & high pressure areas along equator Tornadoes – form along fronts Tropical storms/ hurricanes – form in oceans