Do Now In your own words define CLIMATE

Do Now: In your own words, define CLIMATE.

Global Climate Factors Aim: What natural factors influence our climate?

Climate is…. . the average, general weather conditions over a large area, over a period of time.

1) Latitude – position on Earth

1) Latitude – position on Earth High latitudes = Polar regions Cooler due to low angle of sun – spread out Drier because cooler air (does not hold as much water) and sinking air Low latitudes = equator/tropics Hotter due to direct rays of sun – intense heat Humid due to rising air, which creates clouds

How does latitude affect climate? Temperature As latitude increases ____, the average annual temperature decreases _____. 0° Latitude 90°

2) Planetary Wind Belts Caused by unequal heating of earth, creating global circulation. curve due to the rotation of the Earth = Coriolis Effect ESRT p. 14

Winds and storms track from west to east Prevailing Southwesterlies cause: low pressure system to move towards the NE

3) Mountains as barriers – orographic effect Windward Leeward

Sierra Negra, Galápagos

Windward Side

Leeward Side

Wind coming from right (east) side Leeward Side Windward Side

How does the Orographic Effect affect climate? cool, moist Windward Side: ______ warm, dry Leeward Side: _______

The Lake Effect Snow is a result of a cold air mass moving over a comparatively warm body of water. Westerly winds ls Lake Ontario s nd a , Air e ris o co Tug Hill Plataeu The warm “lake” water evaporates and rises, providing moisture to the air mass. When the cold air mass moves over a higher elevation, such as New York’s Tug Hill Plateau, the clouds precipitate, typically in the form

4) Elevation Higher elevations are cooler.

Page 14 of the ESRTs We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases with elevation.

How does elevation affect climate? Temperature increases the average As elevation _____, annual temperature _____. decreases Elevation

5) Ocean Currents ESRT p. 4 East coasts of continents: warm ocean currents From equator toward poles West coasts of continents: cold ocean currents From poles toward equator

How do ocean currents affect climate? Warm Currents: warmer climate Cold Currents: cooler climate

Use Page 4 Reference table: 1. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. 2. Is it a warm or cool current? 3. What current does it turn into as it continues north? 4. How does that affect temperature of Europe?

Use Page 4 Reference table: 1. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current 2. Is it a warm or cool current? 3. What current does it turn into as it continues north? 4. How does that affect temperature of Europe?

Use Page 4 Reference table: 1. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current 2. Is it a warm or cool current? Warm 3. What current does it turn into as it continues north? 4. How does that affect temperature of Europe?

Use Page 4 Reference table: 1. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current 2. Is it a warm or cool current? Warm 3. What current does it turn into as it continues north? North Atlantic Current 4. How does that affect temperature of Europe?

Use Page 4 Reference table: 1. Name the ocean current affecting Long Island. Gulf Stream Current 2. Is it a warm or cool current? Warm 3. What current does it turn into as it continues north? North Atlantic Current 4. How does that affect temperature of Europe? Helps increase Europe’s temperature

6) Closeness to a large body of water

Coastal = water keeps temperatures moderate. Not extremely hot or cold!

Inland = not near water - allows wide range of temperatures

Which city is…… Closer to the coast? B : How can you tell ? It has a smaller temperature range A B

How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate? Water moderates _____ the temperature. Cooler summers. _______ Warmerwinters. _______ Cities A & B are located at the same latitude. City B is closer to a large body of water. Its temperature line is flatter (moderated). *Closer to a large body of water: Increase in precipitation

El Nino El Niño – unusually warm surface current in the Pacific that influences worldwide weather patterns (weak trade winds) La Niña – unusually cold surface current (strong trade winds) excellent el Nino videos