Title: Factors that Affect Climate

Focus 9/8: Copy these Definitions in your notebook:

• Climate: the condition of the atmosphere for extended periods of time.

• Weather: the condition of the atmosphere for short periods of time.

LESSON 5

Factors Affecting Climate

1. Latitude2. Altitude3. Wind and Ocean

Currents4. Topography (changes in

elevation on the Earth’s surface)

Zones of LatitudeA region’s latitude can impact its climate – The more direct rays

from the sun a place gets, the warmer the climate. Variations in the sun’s rays cause variations in climate.

Tropical Temperate Polar

Equator

North Pole

South Pole

Zones of Latitude• Tropical Zones: Summer year round. Heavy

precipitation. Thick tropical vegetation. Always receive the sun’s direct rays.

• Temperate Zones: Warm summers and cold winters (four seasons). Precipitation and vegetation types vary. Receive the sun’s rays at an angle.

• Polar Zones: Winter year round. Very little precipitation and vegetation. Receive no direct rays from the sun.

• What’s the pattern?

How does Elevation affect Climate?

The higher the elevation, the colder the temperature.

Example – When you climb a mountain, the temperature gets colder at the top while at the bottom of the mountain it is warmer.

How do Wind Patterns affect Climate?

Wind patterns are directional. When they blow over warm water, they warm the air temperature on land. When they blow over cold water, they cool the air temperature on land.

How do Ocean Currents affect Climate?

Warm ocean currents warm the land they pass while cold ocean currents cool the land they pass.

Example – Gulf of Mexico warms the coast of Gulf of Mexico. The Bering Sea cools the coast of Alaska.

Ocean Currents

Continentally

• A region’s distance form the moderating influence of the sea

Topography• Mountains can create orographic rainfall.

• The windward side of the mountain is rainy while the leeward side is very dry.

• Rain Shadows are desert regions created on the leeward side of the mountain

Rain Shadow Effect

Windward Leeward