1. AIM: What Are The Factors
that Affect
Climate ?
©Mark Place,

2. Objective:
Identify five factors
that affect climate
and explain
how each
affects climate.

3. 1) Latitude

4. As latitude ________, the average annual temperature _________.
How does latitude
affect climate?
As latitude ________, the average
annual temperature _________.
increases
decreases
Temperature
0° Latitude °

5. Specific Heat Specific heat capacity
Ability to capture or release heat
The larger the SPECIFIC HEAT is, the more difficult it is to change heat / temperature in the object

6. Specific Heat continued look at the ESRT p. 1
Specific heat of WATER…4.18 J/g·°C
Specific heat of Basalt… J/g·°C (This relates to land e.g. land has rocks / soil )

7. 2) Closeness to Large Bodies of Water

9. Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers. _______ winters.
How does closeness to a large
body of water affect climate?
Water __________ the temperature.
_______ summers. _______ winters.
moderates
Cooler
Warmer
Cities A & B are located
at the same latitude.
City B is closer to a large body of water.
Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

10. 3) Orographic Effect
expands

11. 3. Orographic Effect..cont..

12. The Windward Side of a Mountain receives More Rain
The Leeward (opposite the Wind) Side receives Less Rain…and therefore is Drier and Warmer

13. The leeward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills receive much less precipitation
The windward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills receive a great deal more precipitation

14. Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________
How does the
Orographic Effect
affect climate?
Windward Side: ___________
Leeward Side: _____________
cool, moist
warm, dry

15. 4) Elevation

16. We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases
Elevation
Page 14 of the ESRTs
We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases
with elevation.

17. During summer, temperature is strongly controlled by elevation -- cold at the higher reaches of the Alaska and Brooks Ranges, and warmer in the lowlands.

18. As elevation _________, the average annual temperature __________.
How does elevation
affect climate?
As elevation _________, the average
annual temperature __________.
increases
decreases
Temperature
Elevation

19. 5) Ocean Currents

20. The Gulf Stream

21. Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate
How do ocean currents
affect climate?
Warm Currents: warmer climate
Cold Currents: cooler climate