Factors Affecting Climate 1 Latitude 1 The further

Factors Affecting Climate 1 - Latitude 1. The further you travel away from the equator the cooler it gets. Why is this? 2. This is because the Earth is curved. Look at the picture above. The sun rays hitting the Earth at a higher latitude are spread out over a greater area. Over the Equator the rays are concentrated in to a smaller area – this is why it is hot at the equator and very cold at the poles. 3. However, the picture is more complicated than this as other factors have a bearing on the climate in different parts of the world.

Factors Affecting Climate 2 - Altitude This is the effect of height on temperature - the higher you go, the colder it gets. The sun heats up the earth’s surface and then heat is radiated back up into the atmosphere.

Factors Affecting Climate 3 - Prevailing Winds The movement of the earth’s winds starts at the equator, where it is hottest. There are certain set patterns of winds called prevailing winds, which means that direction winds travels most of the time. Wind affects the climate where it has travelled over the : Maritime - ocean Continental - overland

Other Factors Affecting Climate �Distance from the coast �Ocean Currents �Slope of the land �Position of mountains

Major Climatic Regions

Climatic Zones Of The Earth

Summary �The Climate is the average weather over many years. �Many areas around the world have similar climates �Climates are affected by latitude, altitude, , distance from the sea, ocean currents and prevailing winds.

Questions (Copy out the question before answering it please) 1. 2. 3. Why is it very cold in the Arctic? Why are high mountains covered in snow and ice? Why are inland areas hotter than coastal areas in the summer? Draw a diagram to help explain your answer.

World Wind and Pressure Belts ITCZ : Equatorial Low Pressure Belt

How is a Hadley Cell Formed? As air cools it can no longer rise Cold air sinks at the Horse Latitudes Air rises and cools in the atmosphere WIND moves between high and low pressure HIGH Ground heats air LOW Sun heats equator

Summary of Climate 1. The global pattern is affected by: Latitude; land sea; relief & ocean currents 2. ITCZ- max heating and air is forced to rise daily thunderstorms 3. Sub-tropical high pressure descending air low rainfall 4. Low pressure depressions and anticyclones from tropical air meeting cold polar air 5. Passage of air mass moist, dry, cold or warm.