1. Climate Factors

2. Climate Average weather conditions of a region, or the weather patterns that occur over many years

3. Temperature Range The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures of a day or month

4. Climate Is determined by multiple factors –Temperature –Precipitation –Latitude –Heat absorption and release –Topography

5. Latitude Distance from the Equator Determines the amount of solar energy received Influenced by the wind belts

6. *Solar Energy* Depends on –The angle at which the rays of the sun strike the Earth –Number of hours of daylight the location receives

8. Wind Patterns Affect –Humidity –Precipitation –Temperature –Cloud cover

9. Wind Patterns Doldrums at the Equator –Low Pressure –Air rises and cools –Water vapor condenses –Heavy Rain

10. Wind Patterns Subtropical Highs 20°-30° –High Pressure –Air sinks and warms –Drying effect –Deserts

11. *Heat Absorption and Release* Land heats faster and to a high degree Because land is: –Solid –Unmoving

12. *Heat Absorption and Release* Water has a higher specific heat –Amount of energy required to raise the temperature 1° Water is moving –Cooler water is constantly replacing warmer water

13. *Heat Absorption and Release* Ocean Currents –Winds that blow toward the shore, then currents have a stronger effect on their air masses

14. *Heat Absorption and Release* Seasonal Winds –Warm land/ Cool water (summer) Wind blows towards land –Cool land/ Warm water (winter) Wind blows towards water

15. *Heat Absorption and Release* Seasonal Winds –Monsoons Winds carry moisture to land causing a wet season Winds blow towards the water causing a dry season

16. Topography Shape of the land Mountains influences temperature and precipitation

17. Topography Warm air encounters a mountain –The air rises ( to move over the mountain) –The air cools –Cool air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air –Creates rain

18. Topography At the top of the mountain –The air begins to warm –Air is dry

19. Topography Foehn –Warm, Dry air that blows down the Eastern side of the Alps Chinook –Warm, Dry wind that blows down the Eastern side of the Rocky Mountains