1. Climate Factors

2. WEATHER, by definition, is the CURRENT state or condition of the atmosphere at a GIVEN TIME and place.Climate CLIMATE, on the other hand, describes the AVERAGE weather conditions that could be expected during a CERTAIN TIME of year at a specific place. Climate is much less specific than a weather forecast…

3. TEMPERATUREPRECIPITATION Climate is determined by two major factors

4. CLIMATE FACTORS 1. Latitude - Low latitudes near tropics (Equator) are warmer. - High latitudes near poles are colder. 2. Prevailing Winds - Prevailing winds push air masses West to East across the country. - Winds blowing from the ocean bring moisture. Example: Seattle, Washington is very rainy. 3. Mountains Ranges - Mountains make air rise. - Rising air creates precipitation.

5. NEXTNEXT 5. Ocean Currents - Warm water current cause warm temperatures - Cold water current cause cold temperatures 4. Distance to large bodies of water - Areas near water have smaller changes in temperature. Example: LA, California does not get very warm in the summer or very cold in the winter.

7. Polar Temperate Polar Temperate Tropical 1. Latitude Polar From 60-90 degrees longitude. Cold climate. Temperate From 23-60 degrees longitude. No extremes. In between temperature Tropics From 0-23 degrees longitude. Very warm temperatures.

8. 2. Prevailing Winds If the winds move over water – moist air is brought to the region. If the winds move over land – dry air is brought to the region.

9. - Downwind - Air sinks - Air warms and dries - No precipitation Leeward Side - Faces the wind - Air rises - Air cools and condenses - Precipitation occurs Windward Side 3. The Rainshadow Effect

10. How does the Rainshadow Effect affect climate? Windward Side: ___________ Leeward Side: _____________ cool, moist warm, dry

11. 4. Distance from Large Bodies of Water (oceans, seas, large lakes) oceans hold their heat longer creating mild coastal climates

12. 5. Ocean Currents Warm-water currents warm coastal climates Cold-water currents cool coastal climates.

13. Global Ocean Currents