Transcript Ch. 1, Sec. 2 North Carolina`s Climate and Weather

Ch. 1, Sec. 2
North Carolina’s Climate and Weather
Assess the impact of geography on the settlement and
developing economy of the Carolina economy.
North Carolina’s LOCATION
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One of the most important
factors influencing climate, or
weather over an extended
period of time, is a region’s
location.
The closer to the equator a
place is, the warmer it will be
and the farther its location, the
colder.
Because of it’s location in
reference to the equator, North
Carolina has a moderate
temperature year around.
North Carolina is also found in
the region in the United States
called the Sun Belt, or a strip of
warm-weather states that runs
across the southern US.
• Climate is also affected by a region’s location to other natural
features.
• Since the state borders the Atlantic Ocean, it has more
moisture than inland areas and states and because water hold
onto the sun’s heat, the Atlantic Ocean carries warm air over
most of the state.
• Therefore, North Carolina has warm, humid summers and cool,
damp winters.
ALTITUDE
Altitude also affects climate. The higher the elevation, the cooler the air
and the lower, the warmer. It is generally cooler in the western part of the
state than in the eastern part because the mountains act as a barrier,
trapping in or blocking out certain types of weather.
PRECIPITATION
Precipitation, or water released
from the atmosphere, can fall to the
Earth in the form of hail, rain, sleet,
fog, dew, or snow.
The type of precipitation an area
receives is oftentimes dependent
upon the prevailing temperatures.
The largest amounts of rain falls in
July and August while the least
amount is recorded in October or
November.
Snow often falls in the mountains
during the winter months.
WINDS
For much of the year, winds blow in
North Carolina from the southwest,
except in September and October
when they come from the
northeast.
Wind speeds usually decrease at
night and increase in the morning.
NC’s winds have actually played a
role in the state’s history,
particularly on the coast and Outer
Banks where hundreds of ships
were blown off course and sunk.
Throughout time, coastal winds
have shifted the coastline.
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Factors that affect Climate and
Weather
1.
2.
Location
Altitude
3.
Precipitation
4.
Winds
1. Which of the following statements is true? a) Climate character9zes a region
over an extended period of time b) Climate can change significantly in a short
period of time c) Weather contains different types of climates d) Weather is
much more predictable than climate
2. The Sun Belt is a strip of warm-weather states that runs across the ______.
3. North Carolina is warmer than New England because ________.
4. Why is the Piedmont usually colder than the Tidewater? a) It has moisture in
the air b) It has swampy land c) It is farther from the equator d) It is higher in
elevation.
5. How does the Atlantic Ocean affect North Carolina’s climate? a) It makes the
air warm and moist b) It brings heavy rains to the Piedmont c) It lowers the
humidity throughout North Carolina d) It brings cold winds to the Coastal Plain
6. The four factors that affect North Carolina’s climate are _____________.
Bibliography
www.unitedstreaming.com
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/United_States/So
uth/North_Carolina/