2.6 Elevation & Climate

• Understand the relationship between elevation & climate

• Chapter 4 p. 71

2.6.1 Define Elevation p. 71

• Elevation = height of a region above sea level

• Figure 1.6 p. 8 shows cross section of Canada

Sea Level

Winnipeg 239 m

4000 m

DID YOU KNOW?

• Air temperature decreases 2oC for every 300m increase in elevation

• IT’S TRUE!! In fact, the higher up we go; the colder it gets; hence snow on mountain tops

2.6.2 Describe the relationship between the elevation of a point and its temperature and precipitation.

• La Paz, Bolivia• Elevation = 3600m• Coldest month = 9oC

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil• Elevation = 61m• Coldest month= 25oC

La Paz & Rio de Janeiro have similar dist. from ocean & similar latitude. La Paz is much colder because of higher elevation .

See Figure 4.19 – Textbook…what is the relationship between temperatures and elevation???? Stop

2.6.2 Describe the relationship between the elevation of a point and its temperature and precipitation.

• Relief Rainfall• Windward Side of mountain• Leeward Side of Mountain• Rain shadow – What side?

Relief Rainfall – Recap!!!Elevation and Precipitation

• Windward = side of a mountain wind blows toward • Leeward = side of

mountain opposite from windward

• Rain shadow = region on leeward side of mountain that receives little precipitation because most rain dropped on windward side.

2.6.3 Analyze the relationship between temperature and precipitation of a point and its location relative to a mountain system. • Cities higher up in a mountain have colder temperatures • Cities on leeward side have little rain• Cities on windward side have more rain

Match the city to the data• 1113mm rain & 0oC coldest month• 628mm rain & -12oC coldest month

Prince GeorgeVancouver

wind

2.6.3 Practice

• #37 p. 71 • #40 a & b p. 72• #41 a & b p. 72