1. Factors Affecting Climate

2. An easy way to remember… O-ocean currents W-wind patterns E-elevationL-latitude L-landforms/water bodies

3. LATITUDE LOW LATITUDES LOW LATITUDES MIDDLE LATITUDES MIDDLE LATITUDES HIGH LATITUDES HIGH LATITUDES

4. Low Latitudes Located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn Located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn –(23 ½ degrees north to 23 ½ degrees south) Direct sunlight year-round Direct sunlight year-round Very warm/hot climates Very warm/hot climates

5. Middle Latitudes Northern Hemisphere: Tropic of Cancer to Arctic Circle Northern Hemisphere: Tropic of Cancer to Arctic Circle Southern Hemisphere: Tropic of Capricorn to Antarctic Circle Southern Hemisphere: Tropic of Capricorn to Antarctic Circle –(23 ½ degrees N to 66 ½ degrees N) –(23 ½ degrees S to 66 ½ degrees S)

6. Middle Latitudes Summer: Warm air Summer: Warm air Winter: Cold air Winter: Cold air Temperate climate-ranges from fairly hot to fairly cold. Temperate climate-ranges from fairly hot to fairly cold. Weather changes dramatically with seasons Weather changes dramatically with seasons

7. High Latitudes Northern Hemisphere: North Pole to Arctic Circle Northern Hemisphere: North Pole to Arctic Circle Southern Hemisphere: South Pole to Antarctic Circle Southern Hemisphere: South Pole to Antarctic Circle –66 ½ degrees N to 90 degrees N –66 ½ degrees S to 90 degrees S Indirect sunlight; cold climate Indirect sunlight; cold climate

9. ELEVATION Air temps decrease with elevation! Air temps decrease with elevation! For every 1,000 ft increase in elevation, the temp drops by 3 ½ degrees. For every 1,000 ft increase in elevation, the temp drops by 3 ½ degrees. Example: Quito, Ecuador Example: Quito, Ecuador –Elevation of 9,000 ft –25 degrees cooler than surrounding areas

10. Wind Patterns Low latitudes: Easterly Trade Winds Low latitudes: Easterly Trade Winds –Blow towards equator from 30 degrees N and 30 degrees S Mid-Latitudes: Westerlies Mid-Latitudes: Westerlies High Latitudes: Polar easterlies High Latitudes: Polar easterlies Equator: Windless area called the doldrums Equator: Windless area called the doldrums

13. Ocean Currents May be warm or cold May be warm or cold Either have a cooling effect OR a warming effect on the land they pass Either have a cooling effect OR a warming effect on the land they pass Example: Gulf Stream current warms western Europe Example: Gulf Stream current warms western Europe

15. Landforms/Water Bodies Orographic Effect: rain shadow on leeward side of mountains Orographic Effect: rain shadow on leeward side of mountains Areas located by oceans have better regulated temperatures than interior areas because water is slower to heat and cool than land is. Areas located by oceans have better regulated temperatures than interior areas because water is slower to heat and cool than land is.