1. Climate Controls

2. Climate Controls Climate is controlled by the following six factors:
1. Latitude - Distance away from the equator.
2. Relief and Elevation - Mountain ranges act as barriers to air movement.
3. Moderating effect of Water - Cooling hot summer air or warming cold winter air.

3. 4. Ocean Currents – These warm or cold flows of water affect the air above them.
5. Air Masses - Bring air from distant locations to an area.
6. Wind and Pressure Systems – Moving air creates prevailing winds which carry air masses across the continent.

4. Effect of Latitude on Climate

5. Latitude is the most important factor affecting climate!
Latitudes in North America

6. Relief and Elevation
Relief and Elevation - Mountain ranges act as barriers to air movement. This also causes relief precipitation.

7. Moderating effect of water
Because water warms and cools much more slowly than land, large waterbodies moderate the temperatures of these land areas.
This means that winters are warmer than you would expect based on the Latitude of the location.
It also means that summers are cooler than you would expect based on the Latitude of the location.

9. Ocean Currents
Ocean Currents – These warm or cold flows of water affect the air above them.
World currents

10. Air Masses
Air Masses - Bring air from distant locations to an area.

11. Wind and Pressure Systems
Wind and Pressure Systems – Moving air creates prevailing winds which carry air masses across the continent.