1. Weather and Climate – Part 2

2. Elevation

3. Elevation as air rises, it expands due to lower air pressure
as air expands it cools (loses energy)
as air cools it reaches a temperature where it is saturated with water vapour
this is the dewpoint
if it cools further it will cause condensation

4. Relief
Relief means the “lay of the land.” In Canada, south facing slopes are warmed more than North facing slopes because of more direct sunlight. Also, mountain ranges can block air masses and moisture from reaching certain areas, causes those locations to have dry climates.

5. Relief mountains create relief precipitation
moist air rises up windward side of mountain, expands, and cools
dewpoint is reached and precipitation (rain or snow) occurs
ex. Vancouver, BC
leeward side of slope is drier creating a rain shadow effect
ex. Calgary, Alberta

6. Katabatic Winds

7. Near Water
Water bodies have a moderating effect on climate. Because water has a high “specific heat capacity” it takes more energy to change the temperature of a water body than a an area of land. Therefore, areas close to bodies of water will have relatively mild winters and cool summers.

8. Continental and Maritime Environments
Moderating effect of Water
Ocean Currents
Air Masses

9. Continental and Maritime Environments
areas located far from oceans and large lakes have a continental climate
high temperature range, low precipitation
ex. Regina, Saskatchewan
coastal locations have a maritime climate

10. Continental and Maritime Environments
water bodies have a moderating affect on land, are warmer in winter and cooler in summer
low temperature range, high precipitation
ex. Halifax, Nov Scotia
the Great Lakes region is unique, as it is classified as modified continental
ex. Toronto, Ontario

11. Climate Graphs
Climate graphs measure temperature and precipitation for a given location (i.e. a city) over the course of one year.
-temperature (y axis)
-precipitation (y axis)
-months (x axis)