2. Climate Factors Sun & Latitude Atmospheric Pressure Global Wind Belts Oceans & Currents Elevation

3. Solar Energy & Latitude Solar energy is converted into heat Greenhouse effect is when the atmosphere traps heat – makes life possible Climates get generally colder as you move toward the poles

4. Atmospheric Pressure Centers of low pressure are called cyclones Air pressure zones Equatorial low Subtropical highs Subpolar lows Polar highs

5. Global Wind Belts Prevailing winds vary by latitude p. 43 Trade winds were used by sailors to move sailing ships The equatorial zone is called the doldrums because the winds are calm

6. Oceans & Currents Coastal areas have less temperature variation Currents circulate warm water towards polar region and cooler water towards the equator Currents affect temperature and precipitation

7. Elevation & Mountains The higher the elevation, the cooler the temperatures Orographic effect Moist air is blocked by mountains causing the air to cool and condense The air dries and warms on the other side creating a rain shadow

8. Weather Factors Precipitation Elevation and Mt. Effects Storms

9. Precipitation Forms Rain, snow, sleet, hail Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air Clouds form from condensation when the air can’t hold vapor Precipitation happens when they get heavy

10. Storms Mid – latitude cyclones cover huge areas usually along polar front Front is mixed air tornadoes Tropical storms are smaller and create more damage Begin over tropical seas Hurricanes, typhoons

11. Climate & Vegetation Tropical Arid Mid-Latitude High-Latitude & Highland

12. Tropical Climates Tropical Rain Forest Warm temperatures High year round rainfall Dense rain forest Tropical Savannas Warm temperatures Rainy and dry seasons Grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs

13. Arid Climates Arid (desert) 30° latitudes, interior regions, rain shadow, near cool ocean currents little vegetation Semiarid (steppe) Transition areas between deserts and more humid regions Limited rainfall Grasses and shrubs

14. Middle-Latitude Climates Mediterranean coastal areas Rainy winters dry summers Scrub woodland Marine West Coast High rainfall areas with mild temperatures Temperate rain forests

15. Middle-Latitude Climates Humid Subtropical Near warm ocean currents Hot, humid summers forests Humid Continental Interior regions Four seasons – brutal forests

16. High-Latitude & Highland Climates Subarctic Long winters, short summers Evergreen forests Tundra Permafrost No trees Ice Cap - duh Highland Varies by elevation Tree line