1. What causes Climate ?
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2. Weather: The condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.
Climate: The average, year after year, conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds and clouds in an area.
Microclimates: Climate conditions within a small area that differ from those in the surrounding area.
Examples: parks, cities, areas near lakes or ponds, gardens, etc.

3. Two main factors that causes Climate -
Temperature (cold or warm climate)
Precipitation (dry or humid climate)

4. Factors Affecting Temperature
Latitude
Altitude
Distance From Large Bodies of Water
Ocean Currents

5. Latitude
Latitude: The distance in degrees north or south of the equator.
Based on latitude Earth’s surface can be divided into 3 Temperature Zones
Tropical Zones: warm climates
Temperate Zones: ranging temperatures
Polar Zones: cold climates

6. Temperature Zones of Earth
Polar Zone
Polar Zone

7. Temperature Zones of Earth

8. Altitude Altitude: elevation above sea level
High land areas have cooler climates
For example: Mt. Kilimanjaro, in East Africa is covered with snow all year round although it is near equator (3 degrees south latitude.
Higher altitudes = cooler temperatures
Lower altitudes = warmer temperatures

9. Distance From Large Bodies of Water
Marine Climates: warmer winters and cooler summers
Where? Much of the west coast of North America, South America, and Europe.
Continental Climates: colder winters and warmer summers (extreme temperatures)
Where? Most of Canada and Russia, Central United States.

10. Ocean Currents
Ocean Currents- Streams of water within the oceans that move in regular patterns.
Oceans and lakes can affect temperatures / climate
3 examples: Gulf Stream (warm water currents), North Atlantic Drift (brings milder and humid air to Ireland and Southern England) , California Current (cool water current)

11. Major Ocean Surface Currents

12. Factors Affecting Precipitation
Prevailing Winds
Presence of Mountain Ranges
Seasonal Winds

13. Prevailing Winds
movement of air masses caused by directional winds in a region
The amount of water vapor in an air mass influences how much rain or snow will fall
The amount of water vapor in the prevailing wind depends on where the wind comes from

14. Mountain Ranges
Air forced up the mountain cools, condenses, and creates clouds
Falls as precipitation on windward side (The side of the mountain that faces the wind).
Leeward side (the side of the mountain range that faces away from the oncoming wind) of mountain has drier conditions.

15. Seasonal Winds Monsoons are type of seasonal winds.
Similar to sea or land breezes, but occurs over wider area.
Monsoons are type of seasonal winds.
Monsoons: Sea or land breeze over a large region that changes direction with the seasons.
Thailand and part of India get most of the rain from the summer monsoons.
The winter monsoons winds brings very little rain to same regions.