How are you going to SELL to me the factors that affect temperature?

S easonal Differences The changing seasons not only determine the length of day and night but also the angle at which the sun’s rays reach the earth’s surface In December to February the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun. From June to August, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun That’s why the Northern Hemisphere’s seasons are the exact opposite to ours.

levation (height above sea level) Because of their height, mountain areas are cooler than areas at lower elevation. On average, the temperature drops by approximately 6.5°C for every 1000 metres of elevation.

L atitude Solar energy has twice the area to heat at 60° north and 60° south as it does at the equator. Therefore average temperatures are lower at higher latitudes

L ength of day and night Because the earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 °, there are seasonal differences in the number of daylight hours. The shorter the day, the less opportunity there is for the earth and its atmosphere to absorb heat.

Factors affecting RAINFALL

Factors Affecting Rainfall D.O.M.P Distance from the sea Ocean Currents Mountain Barriers Prevailing Winds

D.O.M.P: Distance from the sea Winds carrying off the sea carry a lot of moisture. Places near the coast often receive higher rainfall than those further inland.

D.O.M.P: Ocean Currents Warm ocean currents Cold ocean currents Water evaporates quickly from warm ocean currents  warm oceans have high evaporation rates Higher evaporation rates = more rainfall Cold ocean currents Water evaporates slowly from cold ocean currents Cold ocean currents have lower evaporation rates Lower evaporation rates = less rainfall

D.O.M.P: Mountain Barriers Mountains act as barriers against the movement of moist air. Drier air and less rainfall. Rainfall and moist air When warm, moist air is forced to rise, the temperatures cause the air to lose much of its moisture as precipitation. The warm air cools and water vapour turns into rain. The rain (or snow) falls on the windward side of the mountain.

Orographic Rainfall The air mass is forced to rise as it hits the mountain and condenses into clouds The air mass, now drier, flows down the leeward side of the mountains Warm moist air approaches a mountain barrier Orographic rainfall occurs on the windward side of the mountains The dry air mass becomes warmer, with little chance of rain. Deserts are often found on the leeward side of large mountain ranges

Kauai Hawaii Windward side: Leeward side: less rain More rain  waterfalls and lush jungle Leeward side: less rain

D.O.M.P: Prevailing Winds The prevailing wind is the direction that the wind blows from most often. Winds take on the characteristics of their source region. I.e. The temperature of the prevailing wind is affected by the area it blows from and over When prevailing winds blow from and over warm bodies of water, they often bring rain. Winds that blow from the sea or oceans often bring rain to the coast and dry weather to inland areas.