Climate Factors

Climate

• Average weather conditions of a region, or the weather patterns that occur over many years

Temperature Range

• The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures of a day or month

Climate

• Is determined by multiple factors– Temperature– Precipitation– Latitude– Heat absorption and release– Topography

Latitude

• Distance from the Equator• Determines the amount of solar

energy received • Influenced by the wind belts

*Solar Energy*

• Depends on – The angle at which the rays of the sun

strike the Earth– Number of hours of daylight the location

receives

Wind Patterns

• Affect– Humidity– Precipitation– Temperature– Cloud cover

Wind Patterns

• Doldrums at the Equator– Low Pressure– Air rises and cools– Water vapor condenses– Heavy Rain

Wind Patterns

• Subtropical Highs 20°-30°– High Pressure– Air sinks and warms– Drying effect– Deserts

*Heat Absorption and Release*

• Land heats faster and to a high degree

• Because land is:– Solid– Unmoving

*Heat Absorption and Release*

• Water has a higher specific heat– Amount of energy required to raise the

temperature 1°

• Water is moving– Cooler water is constantly replacing

warmer water

*Heat Absorption and Release*

• Ocean Currents– Winds that blow toward the shore, then

currents have a stronger effect on their air masses

*Heat Absorption and Release*

• Seasonal Winds– Warm land/ Cool water (summer)

• Wind blows towards land

– Cool land/ Warm water (winter)• Wind blows towards water

*Heat Absorption and Release*

• Seasonal Winds– Monsoons

• Winds carry moisture to land causing a wet season

• Winds blow towards the water causing a dry season

Topography

• Shape of the land• Mountains influences temperature

and precipitation

Topography

• Warm air encounters a mountain– The air rises ( to move over the

mountain)– The air cools– Cool air can’t hold as much moisture as

warm air– Creates rain

Topography

• At the top of the mountain– The air begins to warm– Air is dry

Topography

• Foehn– Warm, Dry air that blows down the

Eastern side of the Alps

• Chinook– Warm, Dry wind that blows down the

Eastern side of the Rocky Mountains