1. Climate Controls and Precipitation
Climate and Weather
Climate Controls and Precipitation

2. Climates of Canada Continental Climate Maritime Climate
the climate of a continent’s interior
it is a climate of temperature extremes and
low precipitation
Maritime Climate
a coastal climate, usually referring to the
West Coast
it is a climate of mild temperatures and high
precipitation

3. Latitude & Altitude Latitude Altitude
the higher the latitude the lower the average
annual temperature and the greater annual
temperature range
Altitude
the higher the altitude, the lower the
temperature

4. Distance from Sea
Because land and water heat and cool at different rates, a large land mass such as western Canada can swing between temperature extremes.
maritime vs. continental climates

5. Ocean Currents
Ocean currents affect the temperature of the land by warming or heating the air blowing over them.
Warm air can absorb more water than cold air. Hence, the west coast enjoys a mild, wet climate.

6. Ocean Currents

7. Mountain Barriers
If mountain ranges lie across the path of prevailing winds, they have an affect on temperature, cloudiness and precipitation
The heaviest rains of Canada fall on the western slopes of the coastal and interior mountains of British Columbia

8. Types of Precipitation

9. Orographic Precipitation
A more moist climate usually prevails on the windward side of a mountain than on the leeward (downwind) side.
Moisture is removed by orographic lift, leaving drier air on the descending (generally warming), leeward side where a rain shadow is observed.[

10. Orographic Precipitation

11. Convectional Precipitation
Associated with hot climates
Is brought about by rising and abrupt cooling of air that has been warmed by extreme heat on the ground surface
In Canada, convectional rainfall is most common on the Prairies during the summer

12. Convectional Precipitation

13. Frontal Precipitation
Takes place at the boundary, or front, between a mass of warm air from the tropics and a mass of cold air from the poles.
Water vapour in the warm air is chilled and condenses to form clouds and rain.

14. Frontal Precipitation

15. Climate Graphs