A region’s “general” weather conditions as established over a long period of time is known as climate.

Climate is… ADD HERE

Lincoln, NE ~ 40˚N Providence, RI ~ 40˚N

“How is it possible that two locations at the same latitude can experience different climates?”

CLIMATE

Climate Regions

P = Annual Precipitation (moisture)PET = Potential Evapotranspiration (temperature)

ARIDP < PET

HUMIDP > PET

SUB-HUMIDSEMI-ARID

P ≅ PET

Factors Affecting Climate

Latitude

Large Bodies

of Water

Planetary Winds and Pressure

Belts

Vegetation Cloud

Cover

Ocean Currents

Elevation

Mountains

Climate Change due to LatitudeThe Earth receives maximum intensity

and fairly consistent duration of insolation between 23 ½ ˚N and 23 ½ ˚S

during its revolution around the Sun.

Annual temperatures tend to… ADD HERE

Latitudes north of 23 ½ ˚N and latitudes south of 23 ½ ˚S never receive direct insolation and the duration of insolation fluctuates.

Annual temperatures… ADD HERE

Climate Change due to Latitude The location of pressure belts will alter the moisture conditions at

certain latitudes.

Low

Low

Low

High

High

Low pressure belts (convergence) are known for… ADD

HERE

High pressure belts (divergence) are known for… ADD

HERE

Climate Change due to Large Bodies of Water

Land tends to heat up and cool down more quickly than water (due to specific heat).

The temperature of a location near a large body of water will be moderated by its presence near the water (MARINE CLIMATE)

The temperatures of locations far away from large bodies of water are not affected by the presence of water (CONTINENTAL CLIMATE).

Providence, RI(MARINE CLIMATE)

The Atlantic Ocean helps to moderate the

temperature of the city.

Lincoln, NE(CONTINENTAL

CLIMATE)

There is no large body of water

nearby to moderate the

temperature of the city.

Climate Change due to Prevailing Winds

Prevailing winds are generated by the convergence/divergence of air near pressure

belts and due to the Coriolis Effect.

Southern California is much “more of a marine climate” (more moderate

climate)due to the southwesterly winds blowing off the Pacific Ocean.

Storm track moving westward pick up moisture over the Great Lakes. Cities in northwestern New York

experience “lake effect” snows and rains due to this movement (more humid climate).

Climate Change due to Ocean Currents

Surface ocean temperatures are…

ADD HERE

Warm ocean currents tend to move away from the equator.

Warm ocean currents create warm, humid conditions for coastal

locations.

Cool ocean currents tend to move towards

the equator. Cool ocean currents create cool, drier conditions for coastal locations.

RT = Pg. 4

Some parts of Europe (Ireland, Iceland, England) may be more humid and a bit warmer during certain times of the year due to their presence near warm ocean currents.

The location and pathway of ocean currents

will change as… ADD HERE

Climate Change due to Elevation

Elevation

Air

Tem

pera

ture

ElevationCh

ance

of

Prec

ipita

tion

Generally speaking…..

As air rises it expands and cools.

Higher elevations are less likely to be affected by greenhouse gases and the infrared radiation being absorbed by

them.

As air rises its temperature drops as does its capacity to hold water vapor. Dewpoint temperature is

reached, clouds form and precipitation follows.

Climate Change due to Mountains “The Orographic Effect”

WINDWARD LEEWARD

As prevailing winds move up the mountain:

1.

As prevailing winds move down the mountain:

1.

Climate Change due to Vegetation The vegetation of a region is determined

by its climate.

Arid Humid

When the vegetation of a region is removed, the climate will change.

The destruction of this forest will cause the climate to change:

1. ADD HERE…2. … 3. …4. …

UrbanizationDeforestation

Climate Change due to Cloud Cover Areas that are prone to

cloudy skies often experience climatic change:

1. ADD HERE…2. …3. …

“How come the equator is NOT the warmest spot on Earth’s surface? Where is the warmest place?”

Ecuadorian Beach, South America ~ 0˚ latitude (equator)

The equator is… ADD HERE

The warmest place on Earth would by… ADD HERE