1. In your own words, define CLIMATE.
Do Now:
In your own words, define CLIMATE.

2. Global Climate Factors
Aim: What natural factors influence our climate?

3. Climate is…..
the average, general weather conditions over a large area, over a period of time.

4. 1) Latitude – position on Earth

5. 1) Latitude – position on Earth
High latitudes = Polar regions
Cooler due to low angle of sun – spread out
Drier because cooler air (does not hold as much water) and sinking air
Low latitudes = equator/tropics
Hotter due to direct rays of sun – intense heat
Humid due to rising air, which creates clouds

6. As latitude ________, the average annual temperature _________.
How does latitude
affect climate?
As latitude ________, the average
annual temperature _________.
increases
decreases
Temperature
0° Latitude °

7. 2) Planetary Wind Belts
Caused by unequal heating of earth, creating global
circulation.
curve due to the rotation of the Earth = Coriolis Effect
ESRT p. 14

8. Winds and storms track from west to east
Prevailing Southwesterlies cause:
low pressure system to move towards the NE

9. 3) Mountains as barriers – orographic effect
Windward
Leeward

10. Sierra Negra, Galápagos

11. Windward Side

12. Leeward Side

13. Wind coming from right (east) side
Windward
Side
Leeward
Side

14. Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________
How does the
Orographic Effect
affect climate?
Windward Side: ___________
Leeward Side: _____________
cool, moist
warm, dry

15. The Lake Effect Snow is a result of a cold air mass moving over a comparatively warm body of water.
Westerly winds
Air rises, and cools
Tug Hill
Plataeu
Lake Ontario
The warm “lake” water evaporates and rises, providing moisture to the air mass. When the cold air mass moves over a higher elevation, such as New York’s Tug Hill Plateau, the clouds precipitate, typically in the form of snow.

17. 4) Elevation
Higher elevations are cooler.

18. We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases
Page 14 of the ESRTs
We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases
with elevation.

19. As elevation _________, the average annual temperature __________.
How does elevation
affect climate?
As elevation _________, the average
annual temperature __________.
increases
decreases
Temperature
Elevation

20. 5) Ocean Currents ESRT p. 4
East coasts of continents: warm ocean currents
From equator toward poles
West coasts of continents: cold ocean currents
From poles toward equator

21. Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate
How do ocean currents
affect climate?
Warm Currents: warmer climate
Cold Currents: cooler climate

22. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island.
Use Page 4 Reference table:
Name the ocean current affecting Long Island.
Is it a warm or cool current?
What current does it turn into as it continues north?
How does that affect temperature of Europe?

23. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Use Page 4 Reference table:
Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Is it a warm or cool current?
What current does it turn into as it continues north?
How does that affect temperature of Europe?

24. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Use Page 4 Reference table:
Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Is it a warm or cool current? Warm
What current does it turn into as it continues north?
How does that affect temperature of Europe?

25. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Use Page 4 Reference table:
Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Is it a warm or cool current? Warm
What current does it turn into as it continues north? North Atlantic Current
How does that affect temperature of Europe?

26. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Use Page 4 Reference table:
Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current
Is it a warm or cool current? Warm
What current does it turn into as it continues north? North Atlantic Current
How does that affect temperature of Europe?
Helps increase Europe’s temperature

27. 6) Closeness to a large body of water

28. Coastal = water keeps temperatures moderate.
Not extremely hot or cold!

29. Inland = not near water
allows wide range of temperatures

30. Which city is…… Closer to the coast? B : How can you tell ?
It has a smaller temperature range A B

31. Water __________ the temperature. _______ summers. _______ winters.
How does closeness to a large
body of water affect climate?
Water __________ the temperature.
_______ summers. _______ winters.
moderates
Cooler
Warmer
Cities A & B are located
at the same latitude.
City B is closer to a large body of water.
Its temperature line is flatter (moderated). *Closer to a large body of water: Increase in precipitation

34. El Nino
El Niño – unusually warm surface current in the Pacific that influences worldwide weather patterns (weak trade winds)
La Niña – unusually cold surface current (strong trade winds)
el Nino videos
excellent