21.1 Climate Who is Stan Hatfield and Ken Pinzke

Factors that affect climate 1) Latitude 2) Elevation 3) Topography 4) Water bodies 5) Atmospheric circulation 6) Vegetation

1) Latitude (“lat” is FLAT) As latitude increases, the intensity of solar energy decreases. Fig 2 pg 589

* zones depend on Latitude & amount of sun • Tropical zone - between 23.5o north (Cancer) & 23.5o south (Capricorn). Sun’s rays most intense & temps always warm. • Temperate zones - between 23.5o & 66.5o north and 23.5o & 66.5o south. Sun’s rays strike Earth at a smaller angle. • Polar zones - between 66.5o north & south latitudes & poles. Sun’s rays strike Earth at a very small angle.

2) Elevation (height above sea level) • Higher the elevation, colder the climate. * Also determines the amount of precipitation an area receives (see the figure to the right)

3) Topography (similar to elevation) • Features such as mountains play an important role in the amount of precipitation that falls over an area. * Cool, wet air goes up the mountains into higher ALTITUDE, air cools down, precipitation falls. The Rain Shadow Effect: dry wind on leeward side of mountain.

4) Water Bodies *places downwind of a large body of water have cooler summers & milder winters than places inland (think back to our water/land temp lab) *** Large bodies of water STABALIZE the climate of surrounding areas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5) Atmospheric Circulation • Global winds distribute heat & moisture around Earth -low pressure zones at the equator & in sub polar regions lead to the formation of clouds that drop precipitation as rain or snow.

6) Vegetation • Can affect both temp. & precipitation patterns in an area. Affects amount of radiation that is absorbed (photosynthesis) During a process called transpiration plants release water vapor back into the atmosphere through their leaves (increase precipitation)