1. Climatology Topic V

2. I. Climate: the average weather in a particular area over a long period of time.
A. Factors Affecting Climate:
1. Latitude
2. Altitude
3. Ocean Currents
4. Topography (mountains)
5. Closeness to water

3. B. Latitude: influences temperature patterns in an area.
1. Low Latitudes: angle/duration of insolation is high keeping temps. Constant throughout the year.
2. High latitudes: angle of insolation is low, but the duration varies causing temp. changes throughout the year.

4. C. Altitude (elevation): influences temp
C. Altitude (elevation): influences temp. and moisture patterns of a region.
1. Low elevations: have more stable temp. and moisture.
2. High elevations: have lower temps. and greater precipitation.

5. D. Ocean Currents: created by global winds and can alter the temp
D. Ocean Currents: created by global winds and can alter the temp. of a region. (page 4 in ref. Tables)
1. Warm currents: warm the air at higher latitudes. (ex. Gulf stream)
2. Cool Currents: cools the temp. of lower latitudes.
(ex. Canary)

6. 3. El Nino: is a warm surface current that brings heavy rains to the west coast of the U.S. and South America.

7. * Air expands and cools (adiabatically)
E. The Orographic (mountain) Effect: mountains act as barriers to local weather and prevailing winds.
1. Windward Side:
* Warm, moist air rises
* Air expands and cools (adiabatically)
* Clouds form and create precipitation.
windward

8. Region is arid (dry) and warm YouTube - orograhpic rain (1-31)
2. Leeward Side:
* air descends
* Warms by compression
Region is arid (dry) and warm
YouTube - orograhpic rain (1-31)
windward
leeward

9. F. Bodies of Water: the slow heating and cooling of water can modify temperatures.
1. Marine Climate: cool summers and warmer winters with little temperature range. (ex. Long Island)
2. Continental Climate: hot summers and cold winters with large temp. ranges. (ex. Midwest region)