1. What Factors Affect the Climate in Canada

2. A useful acronym to help remember these factors is : LOWER Near Water
There are 6 factors that affect climate in Canada. They are:
Latitude
Ocean Currents
Winds and Air Masses
Elevation
Relief
being Near to Water
A useful acronym to help remember these factors is : LOWER Near Water

3. Latitude and Climate
Latitude: gives the location of a place on Earth north or south of the equator -measured in degrees
The hottest places on Earth are found at the equator
As you move AWAY from the equator (either N or S) the average temperature decreases, and the temperature range increases.
Temperature Range: Temperature difference between the coldest monthly temperature and the warmest average monthly temperature.

4. Why does this occur?
The amount of energy hitting any spot on the earth is equal
But,
Because the earth is curved, at certain points this energy is spread out over larger distances

5. Therefore,
Temperature decreases as you move north or south of the equator, because of Earth’s curvature. Less light from the sun is hitting per square meter the further you travel from the equator.

6. Ocean Currents and Climate
An ocean current is continuous movement of water along the ocean’s surface
Ocean currents bring warmer water from the equatorial areas

7. Ocean Currents and Climate
Current temperature affects air temperature passing over it
West coast:
North Pacific current = warm
 warmer air
 Warm BC climate
Cold Labrador current meets Warm Gulf stream near Newfoundland, creating a foggy climate

8. Therefore,
Ocean currents affect climate because they influence the temperature of the air coming off the water.

9. Winds and Climate
Using your textbook, pg 148, define the following terms:
Air mass:
Wind:
Prevailing wind:
Polar front:
Jet stream:
Large volume of air that takes on climatic conditions .
Movement of air from high pressure to low pressure areas.
Well-established patterns of winds
Boundary between dry, polar air and warm, wet tropical air
West to east movement of air high above polar front
Because air masses take on their climatic conditions,
Ocean air masses = lots of moisture + warm/cool
Land air masses = very dry + warm/cool

10. Winds affects Climate? Air moves, High Pressure Low Pressure
Creates patterns called
PREVAILING WINDS
In Canada, blow West East
(WESTERLIES)
Move air masses
(affects and changes weather)

11. This can have MAJOR implications on weather
JET STREAM
The east to west movement of the jet stream controls the location of the polar front.
N of jet stream =
COLD
S of jet stream =
WARM
This can have MAJOR implications on weather
If the jet stream shifts, there can be large shifts in temperature

13. Therefore,
Winds affect climate by moving air masses that mimic climatic conditions, and alter the position of the jet stream

14. Elevation and Climate Increase in elevation = decrease in temperature
As elevation increases, air density decreases, causing heat in the air to be released

15. Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya

16. Therefore,
Increased elevation causes temperature decreases

17. Relief and Climate
Mountain barriers create relief precipitation

19. Therefore,
The presence of mountains will cause cooler and wetter climates on windward sides of the mountains near bodies of water, and drier and warmer climates on leeward sides.

20. Near Water and Climate Continental Climate
(Not close to body of water)
Interior locations
Maritime Climate
(Close to large water body)
Coastal locations

21. Near Water and Climate Continental Climate
(Not close to body of water)
Interior locations
Large temp range (hot =summer, cold =winter)
Low amounts of precipitation
Maritime Climate
(Close to large water body)
Coastal locations
Relatively small temp range
A lot of precipitation compared to continental climate

22. Therefore,
The temperature range and amount of precipitation can be influenced by the proximity to a large body of water

23. What Climate Factor(s) is Affecting the following regions in Canada?

24. Cold temperatures in Artic

25. Dry area in B.C. interior

26. Fog in Newfoundland

27. Snow in BC mountains