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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Climate Changes

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

9. 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

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

11. Sun Activity
Sun spots and flares can raise temperatures on earth

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