Transcript LOWERN-climate-factors - bca-grade-7

Ecozones
An Ecozone is made up of different characteristics
that make this part of Canada different and unique.
Fill in the figure below.
Human Use
Climate
Drainage
Ecozones
Wildlife
Landforms
Vegetation
Soil
Climate and Weather
Weather:
The day-to-day characteristics of
temperature, rain, cloud cover and wind
Climate:
Long-term patterns of weather
Canada’s Weather
October 3, 2005
Canada’s Climate
• Canada has 8 climate regions
Arctic
Taiga
Cordilleran
Pacific Maritime
Boreal
Prairie
Southeastern
Atlantic Maritime
Canada’s Climate
• There are 6 factors that make Canada’s
climate different.
LOWERN
L = Latitude
O = Ocean Currents
W = Wind
E = Elevation
R = Relief
N = Nearness to Water
L = Latitude:
LOWERN
• The distance (north and south) from the
equator (0o).
• Regions close to the equator are warmer since
direct sun’s rays produce more heat.
• Latitude determines if a region is hot or cold
O = Ocean Currents
• Ocean currents
bring warm or cold
water to new places
• If the ocean current is
warm then it will heat
the air above it.
• If the ocean current is
cold then it will cool
the air above it.
W = Wind:
• Wind moves hot
and cold “air
masses” to other
parts of the world.
• If there is no
wind, our weather
wouldn’t change
very much!
LOWERN
E = Elevation:
LOWERN
• Elevation: refers to the height above sea
level.
• The higher up you are
the colder it gets
R = Relief:
LOWERN
• Relief: refers to physical features such
as mountain ranges
(i.e. big difference in
elevation).
• Mountains act like a
barrier to air masses
N = Nearness to Water:
LOWERN
• Region that are close to
oceans and large lakes
have different climates.
• In the summer  water remains cooler then the
land and when wind blows, it brings cool air over the
land.
•In the winter  water keeps its heat and when wind
blows, it bring warm air over the land.
LOWER
Continental and Maritime
Climates
• A region that is close to a large body of
water (ocean or large lakes) has a Maritime
Climate.
• A region that is NOT
close to a large body of
water has a Continental
Climate.
Canada’s Weather
October 25, 2004
LOWERN
Continental and Maritime
Climates
Continental Climate
Maritime Climate
So, Canada has different
Climates because of….
L = Latitude
O = Ocean Currents
W = Wind
E = Elevation
R = Relief
N = Nearness to water
How does climate affect us?
1. A Drought (no rain, very dry period) can destroy
crops and soil.
2. Major snow/rain storms can cause major
transportation problems
3. Climate affects the vegetation, soil and
wildlife (animals).
4. Climate also affects certain industries in
Canada like farming and mining.
Climate Graphs
A Climate Graph
shows the average
temperatures and
precipitation
(rainfall), for each
month for a region or
city.
A Climate Graph should have…
1. Title of
region or city
2. Temperature
(oC) in a red line
5. Average Annual
temperature (oC) &
Total annual
precipitation (mm)
3. Precipitation
(mm) drawn in
blue blocks
4. Months at
the bottom