Climate Factors That Affect It Climate Climate is

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Climate: Factors That Affect It

Climate: Factors That Affect It

Climate �Climate is the long term weather patterns for a particular area. �The climate

Climate �Climate is the long term weather patterns for a particular area. �The climate for a particular region on Earth is based on temperature and precipitation, which in turn influence several other factors. �Climate requires data for 30+ years. This allows unusually high or low years to average out.

5 Factors That Affect Climate �Why is it that climate can very from area

5 Factors That Affect Climate �Why is it that climate can very from area to area, sometimes even city to city? �In the picture, there are green palm trees and snow, what is going on?

5 Factors that affect climate � 1. Latitude � 2. Proximity to large bodies

5 Factors that affect climate � 1. Latitude � 2. Proximity to large bodies of water � 3. Elevation � 4. Orographic lifting � 5. Ocean currents

Climate: Latitude �Latitude is the distance, North or South of the equator and is

Climate: Latitude �Latitude is the distance, North or South of the equator and is the major factor that determines climate. �An area’s latitude will determine the angle at which the suns rays travel through the atmosphere.

Climate: Latitude cont’ed �High Angle (Tropical): These rays take the most direct path through

Climate: Latitude cont’ed �High Angle (Tropical): These rays take the most direct path through the atmosphere and give that area a warmer climate. �Medium Angle (Temperate): These rays take a longer path through the atmosphere and will have a more mild climate. (seasons) �Low Angle (Polar): These rays take longest path through the Atmosphere and will have a cold climate.

Climate: Topography �Topography is the three dimensional layout of earth’s surface and the features

Climate: Topography �Topography is the three dimensional layout of earth’s surface and the features found on it.

Topography: Large Bodies of Water �Water has the ability to flow due to its

Topography: Large Bodies of Water �Water has the ability to flow due to its change in density with temperature. �Because of this flow, bodies of water heat up and cool down more slowly than land or air.

Topography: Large Bodies of Water �Example: San Diego, CA, is at nearly the same

Topography: Large Bodies of Water �Example: San Diego, CA, is at nearly the same latitude as Huston, TX, and never gets hotter than mid 80’s or colder than mid 50’s.

Topography: Large Bodies of Water �It takes several months for large bodies of water,

Topography: Large Bodies of Water �It takes several months for large bodies of water, like an ocean, to warm up. Once warm it takes several months to lose that heat. • For this reason areas near the coast will typically have cooler summers and warmer winters than areas of the same latitude inland.

Topography: Elevation �As we have talked about before temperature decreases with height. On a

Topography: Elevation �As we have talked about before temperature decreases with height. On a clear day temperature drops about 5. 4° F per 1000 ft in elevation.

Topography: Orographic Lifting �A mountain range will affect the climate of the areas on

Topography: Orographic Lifting �A mountain range will affect the climate of the areas on both sides due to the air being forced over the slopes. This process Is called Orographic Lifting.

Topography: Orographic Lifting �The sides of a mountain range can have dramatically different climates.

Topography: Orographic Lifting �The sides of a mountain range can have dramatically different climates. �Windward side: the air mass is cooled as it is pushed up the mountain which causes the water vapor in the air to condense causing precipitation. �Leeward side: the dry air warms as it comes over the mountain causing a rain shadow desert.

Climate: Ocean Currents �Ocean currents act as conveyor belts carrying heat from direct solar

Climate: Ocean Currents �Ocean currents act as conveyor belts carrying heat from direct solar radiation near the equator towards the poles, changing climate along the way.

Climate: Ocean Currents �Warm ocean currents deliver heat from the near the equator to

Climate: Ocean Currents �Warm ocean currents deliver heat from the near the equator to Dublin, Ireland. �Cold ocean currents soak up heat from the atmosphere near San Francisco, California. �These two areas have very similar climates due to ocean currents despite the fact that Dublin is nearly 1000 miles farther North!

Exit Slip �What one factor has the largest influence on global climate? �When would

Exit Slip �What one factor has the largest influence on global climate? �When would be the best time to go swimming in the great lakes a 70°F day in May or a 70°F day in September? Why? �Do you have to be on the beach for ocean currents to affect your climate?