Transcript Factor that affect Climate

Factors that affect Climate
LOWERN
6 Major factors affecting climate:
• Latitude
• Ocean Currents
• Winds and Air Masses
• Elevation (Altitude)
• Relief
• Near Water
Latitude
• The closer a location to the equator, the
warmer the climate.
OCEAN CURRENTS
• The movement of water in the oceans may bring warm
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water to cooler areas or cool water to warm areas.
Warm water gives off more moisture than cool water.
Therefore, ocean currents may also affect the amount of
precipitation received by the nearby land.
The warm Gulf stream raises temperatures along the
coast of N.S.
The cold Labrador current keeps the coast of Labrador
and Newfoundland cool.
Along the West Coast, the warm currents help to keep
the air above them warm.
Winds and Air Masses
• An air mass is a large volume of air with the
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climate conditions of the area where it is
formed.
An air mass originating over an ocean contains
moister – as the air passes over land, the
moisture is released in some form of
precipitation.
Therefore, a coastal location is likely to receive
more precipitation than an inland location.
Winds
• Differences in air pressure
are created when the earth
is heated to different
temperatures.
• Differences in air pressure
produce winds.
1. Heating of the ground by
the sun warms the air above
it and causes the air to rise.
2. The air cools and sinks,
producing a high-pressure
area
3. Air at ground level moves
from high pressure to low
pressure, creating winds.
Prevailing Winds
• A well established pattern of wind.
• Over Canada and the U.S. – prevailing
winds are known as the “westerlies”.
These winds blow from west to east.
Relief and Elevation
• Difference in elevation of the earth’s
surface.
• How do mountain ranges affect climate?
They act as barriers to the movement of
air masses.
• HIKING EXAMPLE: AIR EXPANDS AS YOU
MOVE UP A MOUNTAIN. WHEN AIR
EXPANDS YOU LOSE HEAT.
Nearness to Water
• Bodies of water have a moderating effect on
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land temperatures.
Oceans and large lakes heat up and cool down
more slowly than landmasses.
– In summer – winds blowing from over the water keep
the surrounding country side cooler than it would be
if the water were not present.
– In winter – winds blowing from over the water keep
the surrounding countryside warmer than it would be
if the water body was not present.