Ch. 24.7: Climate
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Transcript Ch. 24.7: Climate
Climate: Average
Temperature & Precipitation of
a Region
Objective: Identify factors that affect
climate?
Climate = Long term weather of a region
Depends on temperature & precipitation
6 Climate Regions:
Tropical: Hot & wet or Hot w/ wet & dry seasons
Dry:
Desert
Temperate marine: humid w/ mild winters
Temperate continental: cold, snowy winters
Highlands: mt. regions, cool & wet
Polar: tundra & ice cap
Climate: Factors Affecting Temperature
1. Altitude: Cooler @ higher altitudes
2. Latitude:
– Cooler as you move away fr. equator.
– Same latitudes have similar temps (solar radiation)
3. Distance from bodies of water:
– Water moderates temps. less variation
• Landlocked areas – more extreme temps. (Hotter
summers & colder winters)
4. Ocean currents can influence temps.
Warm current milder winters (Gulf stream brings warmer temps
to UK)
Cold current cooler summers (California current brings cooler
summer to San Francisco)
Climate: Factors Affecting Precipitation.
1. Latitude
Tropical air holds more moisture rainy
2. Distribution of air pressure systems & global winds
a. High Pressure Areas Dry sinking air (30 N& S
and poles)
b. Low Pressure Areas Moist rising air (0 & 60
degrees)
c. Global Winds
Wind from sea: Carry moist air Wet climate
Wind from land: Dry Climate
3. Mt. Barriers
Mts. Force warm moist air from sea up
condenses & precips. on one side of Mt. Dry on
other side
Mt. Barriers (Orogenic Uplift)
WINDWARD SIDE
LEEWARD
•Warm air is pushed
up by mountain,
condenses, &
precipitaties
•Dry Air on opposite
side
•WET
•Desert - like
Mountain Barriers && Climate
Cascade Mts.
Mountain Barriers &
Climate (Orogenic
Uplift)
Note how the western side of the
Cascade Mts. (windward) are
green with vegetation. The
eastern side of the Cascades
(leeward) are brown – due to a
lack of vegetation (It’s dry on this
side of the mountain).
Global Pressure Systems & Climate
Low pressure latitudes: Rainy/snowy
High pressure latitudes: Dry
Global Ocean Currents
Warm currents (Gulf Stream): milder winters
Cold currents (California Current): cooler summers