Aim: What factors affect the climate of an area? Do Now: In your notebooks, describe what factors cause one place to have a dry climate and another to have a wet climate?
Why is hotter at the Equator than at the poles? I. Factors that affect climate 1. Latitude As latitude increases, insolation decreases, (which lowers the average temperature) Poles receive less direct insolation (lower angle) from the sun The Equator receives more direct (higher angle) insolation from the sun. (incoming solar radiation = sunlight) Why is hotter at the Equator than at the poles?
900 900 45 degree angle = weak insolation 90 degree angle = intense insolation 900
2. Land vs. Water (bodies of water) water moderates (evens out) the temperature of the land (due to it’s specific heat) areas that are near water have cooler summers and warmer winters (sea-breeze). land- locked areas have more extreme temperature changes (due to it’s specific heat). Sea Breeze
3. Elevation (altitude) 4. Topography - the higher the elevation, the colder the climate. 4. Topography - mountains cause rain patterns to be distributed unevenly. (orographic lifting) Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa
5. Atmospheric Circulation - Global winds distribute warm moist air and cool dry air around Earth. - Winds move warm air towards the poles and cool air towards the equator. - Your distance from the Equator helps determine the climate of your area.
6. Atmospheric Transparency (Clouds) - An Albedo effect is created when a surface reflects insolation from the sun (U.V) or re-radiated energy from Earth (infrared). - Clouds in the atmosphere and ice/snow on the ground cause an Albedo effect.
7. Vegetation - Keeps land cool by blocking insolation. - Creates more transpiration which adds more moisture to the air causing more precipitation.
Using your notes, complete the worksheet in the back top bin. Closure 1: Using your notes, complete the worksheet in the back top bin. Look for Factors that Affect Climate fact organizer sheet in the Practice worksheets tray and on E-back with answers
Closure 2: Review Book p. 411 – 415 # 1-15 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 1 4 1 4 2 1 1 4 3 4 2 4 3 4 1