1. Climate Zones
Climate zones are divided into regions with differences in two key characteristics:
Amount of moisture (rain), and
Typical temperature range through the year
These two characteristics are affected by four influencing factors:
Latitude
Altitude
Nearness to water
Direction of atmosphere and ocean currents
 WRITE THIS DOWN !

2. Latitude
Due to the Earth’s tilt, the amount of sun energy changes over the earth’s surface…
Polar (High Latitude) zone – either mild temps. or extreme cold
Temperate (Mid-Latitude) zone – seasonal, most varied climates
Tropical (Low Latitude) zone – year-round direct sunlight, always hot
RULE: The HIGHER the latitude, the COLDER the temps.

3. Altitude (Elevation)
Higher elevation = thinner air, therefore less air to hold heat. This makes it colder.
RULE – The HIGHER the elevation, the COLDER the temperatures.

4. 30 degree change in Houston 45 degree change in Denver
Nearness to Water
Land heats up and cools down QUICKLY.
Water heats up and cools down SLOWLY.
Therefore, water acts like a blanket… holding heat and releasing it slowly.
This results in smaller daily and seasonal temperature changes near large bodies of water.
“Coastal” areas are humid, “continental” areas are dry
30 degree change in Houston
45 degree change in Denver

5. Direction of Currents
Global wind and ocean currents transfer heat and moisture around the world, and help carry moisture from the oceans to the land
Warm water moving toward the land brings moisture (H2O)
Warm water moving parallel to the coast brings heat, no H2O
Cool water brings cool, dry air -> mild or desert climates

6. How it Works... Tropical Wet Climate
Latitude – in the tropics HOT
Altitude – low land doesn’t stop air flow until mtns. in the west
Nearness – flat land “acts coastal”, allows moisture inland
Direction – air flow
brings in warm, moist air
from the ocean which then hits the mountain and rains