Factors that Affect Climate Note Page Created by Nancy Robbins, Sunnyside

Altitude The height of land above sea level Temperature drops as you go higher Elevation At higher elevations, air is thinner so it holds less heat

Latitude The distance north or south of the Equator, lines known as a “parallel” Amount of direct sunlight an area receives affects temperature Sun shines directly on equator so it is warmer, less direct sunlight at the poles so it is colder. Earth is tilted on its axis, so northern and southern hemispheres receive more direct sunlight in summer season, less in winter season.

Topography Surface features Humid air from the ocean rises and cools – forms clouds and precipitation Mountain sides facing away from oceans are typically very dry and air is warm * Rain Shadow-land down wind from mountains

Oceans & Lakes Keeps weather from becoming to extreme – moderate Water temperatures change slower than land temperatures Winds from oceans/lakes affect land temperature – cool ocean current = cool winds; warm ocean currents = warm winds

Earth’s Winds Push warm and cold air masses Six belts – push moisture clouds, air pollution moisture Doldrums – ‘trade winds’ meet near equator, warm moist air, forms lots of clouds

Climate Changes

La Nina Pacific Ocean – cold water rises Cold surface water moves west Warmer water is pushed west causing more storms

El Nino Pacific Ocean – cold water goes lower – surface water is warmer than usual Trade winds calm – western Pacific is dry Warm, moist air causes flooding in other parts of Pacific

Volcanoes Particles thrown in air can spread many miles Particles can block sunlight and lower temperatures

Sun Activity Sun spots and flares can raise temperatures on earth

Carbon Dioxide From burning fossil fuels Causes global temperatures to rise CO2 blocks heat from leaving Earth’s atmosphere