Four Factors that Influence Climate

What is climate?Average weatherAverage weather an area an area

typically experiencestypically experiences

over a long period of timeover a long period of time, , which includes temperature which includes temperature

and precipitation.and precipitation.

Factor #1: Latitude The The relative locationrelative location

north or southnorth or south of the of the equator equator influences influences temperaturetemperature of an area of an area

The The closer to the closer to the equatorequator, the , the warmerwarmer it it is, because of the direct is, because of the direct rays of the sun.rays of the sun.

Did you know Did you know The earth’s tiltThe earth’s tiltcauses seasons causes seasons

and lengths and lengths of days?of days?

What are the three latitude zones?

60-90°=60-90°= POLARPOLAR

60-90°=60-90°= POLARPOLAR

23.5-60°= 23.5-60°= TEMPERATETEMPERATE

23.5-60°= 23.5-60°= TEMPERATETEMPERATE

0-23.5°=0-23.5°= TROPICALTROPICAL

Q: Why is latitude the most important factor that influences climate?

A: When an area is closer to the sun (ie. the tropics) the days are longer

and the sun's rays are stronger. This heats the climate.

#2: Elevation (Altitude)

For every 1000 feet For every 1000 feet above sea level, the above sea level, the temperature drops temperature drops approximately 3° F.approximately 3° F.

#3: Location to aLarge Body of Water

Helps to moderate Helps to moderate the climatethe climate– Temperatures do not Temperatures do not

get too hot or too get too hot or too coldcold

– The area is more The area is more humid (moist)humid (moist)

#4: Wind and Ocean Currents

Prevailing Winds - Prevailing Winds - the the most dominant winds in most dominant winds in an areaan area– trade winds, westerlies, trade winds, westerlies,

polar easterliespolar easterlies

Ocean Currents - Ocean Currents - circulate hot and cold circulate hot and cold water around the earthwater around the earth

Skeleton Coast, NamibiaSkeleton Coast, Namibia