2. Climate Climate is the long term weather patterns for a particular area. The climate for a particular region on Earth is based on temperature and precipitation, which in turn influence several other factors. Climate requires data for 30+ years. This allows unusually high or low years to average out.

3. 5 Factors That Affect Climate Why is it that climate can very from area to area, sometimes even city to city? In the picture, there are green palm trees and snow, what is going on?

4. 5 Factors that affect climate 1. Latitude 2. Proximity to large bodies of water 3. Elevation 4. Orographic lifting 5. Ocean currents

5. Climate: Latitude Latitude is the distance, North or South of the equator and is the major factor that determines climate. An area’s latitude will determine the angle at which the suns rays travel through the atmosphere.

6. Climate: Latitude cont’ed High Angle (Tropical): These rays take the most direct path through the atmosphere and give that area a warmer climate. Medium Angle (Temperate): These rays take a longer path through the atmosphere and will have a more mild climate. (seasons) Low Angle (Polar): These rays take longest path through the Atmosphere and will have a cold climate.

7. Climate: Topography Topography is the three dimensional layout of earth’s surface and the features found on it.

8. Topography: Large Bodies of Water Water has the ability to flow due to its change in density with temperature. Because of this flow, bodies of water heat up and cool down more slowly than land or air.

9. Topography: Large Bodies of Water Example: San Diego, CA, is at nearly the same latitude as Huston, TX, and never gets hotter than mid 80’s or colder than mid 50’s.

10. Topography: Large Bodies of Water It takes several months for large bodies of water, like an ocean, to warm up. Once warm it takes several months to lose that heat. For this reason areas near the coast will typically have cooler summers and warmer winters than areas of the same latitude inland.

11. Topography: Elevation As we have talked about before temperature decreases with height. On a clear day temperature drops about 5.4° F per 1000ft in elevation.

12. Topography: Orographic Lifting A mountain range will affect the climate of the areas on both sides due to the air being forced over the slopes. This process Is called Orographic Lifting.

13. Topography: Orographic Lifting The sides of a mountain range can have dramatically different climates. Windward side: the air mass is cooled as it is pushed up the mountain which causes the water vapor in the air to condense causing precipitation. Leeward side: the dry air warms as it comes over the mountain causing a rain shadow desert.

14. Climate: Ocean Currents Ocean currents act as conveyor belts carrying heat from direct solar radiation near the equator towards the poles, changing climate along the way.

15. Climate: Ocean Currents Warm ocean currents deliver heat from the near the equator to Dublin, Ireland. Cold ocean currents soak up heat from the atmosphere near San Francisco, California. These two areas have very similar climates due to ocean currents despite the fact that Dublin is nearly 1000 miles farther North!

16. Exit Slip What one factor has the largest influence on global climate? When would be the best time to go swimming in the great lakes a 70°F day in May or a 70°F day in September? Why? Do you have to be on the beach for ocean currents to affect your climate?