1. Climate and Weather
CGC1P

2. Weather The day to day characteristics of atmospheric conditions
Temperature
Precipitation (rain, snow)
Humidity
Wind speed and direction
Air Pressure

3. Climate The long term pattern of weather conditions
Over the years, records have been kept of the weather in different part of Canada
These records show a pattern over a long period of time
Climate influences:
Where we live
What we grow
Clothes we wear
Outdoor activities

4. Measuring the Weather Precipitation – rain gauge
Temperature – thermometer in Celsius
Humidity (moisture in air) – hygrometer
Wind – anemometer
Cloud cover – satellites
Air pressure – barometer
UV rating
Wind direction – weather vane

5. Climate Factors
Remember the acronym “LOWERN” or “Lower Near Water” to help remember the six major influences of a region’s climate
Lattitude
Ocean Currents
Wind
Elevation and Relief
Nearness to Water

6. Lattitude
Distance from the equator is the major determining factor in whether a region is hot or cold
Why?
Recall: the sun’s energy is more concentrated at the equator while the same amount of sunlight must heat a much greater area in the poles (curvature of the earth)
In general terms, the further the distance from the poles, the colder the temperature

7. Ocean Currents
The temperature of air above the water is affected by the type of current
Example: cold current = cold air temperature
Labrador current – cold current
Gulf of Mexico – warm current
North Pacific – warm current

8. Wind
Jet stream – flows up to 400 km/h at altitude of 8000 m to m
flows west to east in the Northern Hemisphere
Origin of wind can bring dry, cold air (polar) or warm, moist air (Gulf of Mexico)

9. Elevation and Relief Relief refers to differences in elevation
Mountain ranges act as barriers to movement of air masses AND cause precipitation

10. Elevation and Relief Air cools as it rises
Drops 1 degree for every 100 m elevation increase
After condensation begins (cloud formation) the temperature drop is .60 degrees for every 100m increase

11. Nearness to Water
Water can have a moderating effect on land temperatures
WHY?
Water takes much longer to heat up AND cool than land

12. Example: Vancouver Summer: Winter:
water is much cooler than land = cooler temperatures in Vancouver
Winter:
water temperature is warmer than land = warmer temperatures on land than would normally occur
Vancouver has what we call a Maritime Climate – water moderates the temperature producing a small temperature range