Transcript Slide 1
LAMECOWS Factors Affecting Climate Latitude The farther away from the Equator, the colder the climate becomes. High Tropic of Cancer Equator Tropic of Capricorn Cold Mid Low Warm Hot Warm Mid High Cold From which latitude zone were these pictures taken? Rainforest Tundra Steppe Air Pressure Air pressure is caused by the unequal heating of earth’s surface. 1. Low pressure is warm, moist air. It raises and forms clouds. 2. High pressure is cold, dry air. It sinks and creates clear skies. Mountain Barriers Mountain Barriers create a phenomenon called the Orographic Effect or Rainshadow. The rainshadow helps create deserts Ex. Sierra Nevada mountains in CA receive nice amounts of precipitation, Las Vegas, NV is in the rainshadow creating a desert climate. Rainshadow Effect Windward Side ‘Wet’ side Leeward side ‘Dry’ side This rainshadow region in India was created by the presence of the Western Ghats mountain range, which block the monsoon(seasonal) winds from the west. Elevation As elevation increases, temperature decreases. 1. For every thousand feet the temperature drops 3.6°F In a highlands climate, lower elevation means more vegetation Continental Location Large bodies of water are slower to heat and cool than land. As a result, water temps. remain stable, and land temps. change frequently . Coastlines have stable temperatures. Interior of continent has extreme temperatures (hotter and colder) Ocean Currents Ocean currents are giant rivers of sea water flowing within oceans. Ocean currents flow in circular paths: 1. Warm currents carry water from low to high latitudes. These make land nearby warmer. 2. Cool currents carry water from high to low latitudes. These make land nearby colder. Ocean Current Map Wind Belts Wind is the movement of air from high pressure to low pressure (like when you poke a hole in a tire.) 1. Trade Winds 2. Westerlies 3. Polar Winds Wind Belt Map Storms Occur during low pressure conditions. Storm fronts occurs when two air masses with different temperatures meet. (cold meets warm) 1. Thunderstorms 2. Tornadoes 3. Hurricanes