1. Distribution of Climate Regions
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and distribution of climate.
Elevation
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution of Climate Regions
Areas of higher elevation are much cooler due to thinner air’s inability to hold heat, lack of land to reflect heat, and the conditions of the atmosphere.
Thinner air at higher elevations makes it difficult for air to retain heat/ precipitation causing significant snow at high elevations.
Areas of high elevation occur around the globe.

2. Distribution of Climate Regions
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and distribution of climate.
Latitude
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution of Climate Regions
Latitude has the greatest impact on climate since it determines the amount of sunlight an area receives. Those closest to the equator receive more sunlight (heat) while those farthest away from the equator receive less.
Latitude has some influence on precipitation. For example, the hot rising air around the equator creates continually moist climates.
-Areas of low elevation (areas between the tropics- 23 ½ N and S) are warm due to the sun’s direct rays.
-The middle latitudes (23 ½ N/S - 66 ½ N/S) have temperate/ seasonal climates.
-The higher latitudes (66 ½ N/S- 90) have the coldest climates due to their distance from direct sunlight.

3. Distribution of Climate Regions
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and distribution of climate.
Wind Systems
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution of Climate Regions
-Wind distributes temperatures across the earth’s surface. Wind that moves across warmer or cool water or land transfers those qualities.
Precipitation on the earth is moved and distributed by prevailing winds.
- High pressure situations are generally associated with fair, sunny weather. As high pressure is an area of sinking air, and air tends to dry out as it sinks, leaving sunny skies.
Low pressure areas are generally cloudy/rainy areas -- where strong areas of low pressure bring our stormiest weather. That's because it's an area of rising air, and as air rises, it condenses into clouds and rain
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4. Distribution of Climate Regions
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and distribution of climate.
Ocean Currents
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution of Climate Regions
-Waters of the ocean help distribute the earth’s heat. These currents influence the temperature of the areas nearby.
-Warm water from the tropics is circulated to the poles and cold water from the poles is circulated to the equator.
-As in the case of wind currents, cool and warm ocean currents transfer precipitation around the world.
-Cooler oceans near the poles keep those areas cool and warmer waters near the tropics also hold heat.

5. Position on a Continent Distribution of Climate Regions
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and distribution of climate.
Position on a Continent
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution of Climate Regions
-Due to water’s better ability to hold heat longer, areas around coastlines tend to have warmer climates than areas that are further away from water.
-Locations further inland tend to have a greater change in temperature between seasons.
-Areas along the coastlines are influence more by ocean currents that tend to bring greater amounts of precipitation to coastlines.
Areas of the world most influenced by continental climates exist between the middle latitudes and the poles.

6. Distribution of Climate Regions
Explain how elevation, latitude, wind systems, ocean currents, position on a continent and mountain barriers influence temperature, precipitation and distribution of climate.
Mountain Barriers
Temperature
Precipitation
Distribution of Climate Regions
*See influence of elevation on temperature.
As air masses move over mountains precipitation (orographic) tends to occur on the windward side of mountains as thinner air drops it heat/ moisture. This creates a wet side (windward) and a dry side (leeward).
As mountains can occur anywhere on earth, this influence on climate can as well.