Climate CLIMATE Average weather conditions over a long

Climate

CLIMATE- Average weather conditions over a long period of time for a large geographic area. Climate is based on two things: 1. Temperature - Includes average over the year and range (highest minus lowest) 2. Moisture - arid if evaporate more water than receive humid if evaporate less water than receive

Factors That Control Climate: TEMPERATURE 1. Latitude - Latitude effects temperature because of the angle of insolation. Latitude effects moisture because of planetary wind and pressure belts. 0 o 90 o LATITUDE

2. Large Bodies of Water heats up slower and cools down slower Marine Climate –Near large body of water - cooler summers and warmer winters Continental Climate – Far from large body of water - DISTANCE FROM WATER TEMPERATURE RANGE warmer summers and cooler winters DISTANCE FROM WATER

Remember water moderates our climate!! (warmer winters / cooler summers)

3. Ocean Currents - River-like streams that circulate through the ocean. They modify coastal regions climate. Currents coming up from the equator have a warming effect. Currents coming down from the poles have a cooling effect.

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4. Elevation - Temperatures decrease due to the air being “thinner” (air less dense) 5. Mountain Ranges (Orographic Effect) Different climates on different sides of a mountain range On the Windward Side (wind blowing up) the air rises and cools. Water vapor condenses to form clouds and rain. Therefore there is a humid climate. On the Leeward Side (wind is blowing down) the air is sinking and warms. Very little moisture left. Therefore there is an arid deserts.

Windward side Leeward side

6. Prevailing Winds – winds that blow same direction most of the time Convergence = wet weather Divergence = dry weather