1. 1.3 Land of Contrasts The Climate of Texas

2. 1.3 Absolute Location Affects Climate page 38 ► Texas lies between the middle latitudes – region about midway between the equator and the North Pole. ► Texas has mild winters because it is not very far from the equator. ► The middle latitudes are a meeting place of cool air moving from the north and warm moist air moving from the Gulf of Mexico. ► Violent storms sometimes result from the mixing of the cold and warm air.

3. 1.3 Relative Location also Affects Climate ► The relative location of Texas to the Gulf of Mexico has a major influence on the climate. ► The wind that blows from the ocean cools the land in the summer and warms it in winter. ► Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is the source of most rain that falls on the state. ► The relative location of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico also brings large destructive storms. (hurricanes)

4. 1.3

5. Elevation and Climate Patterns ► Temperature cools as the elevation rises and warms as elevation decreases. ► Elevation also affects rainfall because warm air holds more moisture than cool air. ► Mountains receive more rainfall than flat land. ► As moisture-filled air moves up a mountain it is quickly cooled. As the air cools it is less able to hold moisture and falls as rain.