2. Factors that Affect Climate

3. Weather is the short term (day to day) conditions of the atmosphere which include: Temperature Temperature Precipitation Precipitation Humidity Humidity Cloud Cover Cloud Cover Wind Wind Air Pressure Air Pressure

4. Climate Involves the key weather variables Involves the key weather variables Temperature Temperature Moisture Moisture Air pressure Air pressure But does so in terms of patterns over the course of decades. Minimum of 10 yrs. But does so in terms of patterns over the course of decades. Minimum of 10 yrs.

5. 1.Latitude The further you move away from the equator, north or south, the cooler the temperature. The further you move away from the equator, north or south, the cooler the temperature. WHY? WHY?

6. This is because the suns rays are dispersed over a larger area of land as you move away from the equator. This is because the suns rays are dispersed over a larger area of land as you move away from the equator. This is due to the curved surface of the earth. In addition polar regions are colder because the suns rays have further to travel compared to place on the equator. This is due to the curved surface of the earth. In addition polar regions are colder because the suns rays have further to travel compared to place on the equator.

7. Regions close to the equator receive direct rays of the sun and therefore receive more radiant energy and are warmer. At the areas closer to the poles, the suns rays are at an angle so these areas receive less radiant energy and are cooler. Regions close to the equator receive direct rays of the sun and therefore receive more radiant energy and are warmer. At the areas closer to the poles, the suns rays are at an angle so these areas receive less radiant energy and are cooler.

8. The earth revolves around the sun once every year. (365.25 days) The earth revolves around the sun once every year. (365.25 days) The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees throughout its orbit. The Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees throughout its orbit. The Earth rotates on its own axis once each 24hrs. The Earth rotates on its own axis once each 24hrs. By June the 21, the Northern Hemisphere is angled towards the sun. Therefore we receive our warmest temperatures during the summer. By June the 21, the Northern Hemisphere is angled towards the sun. Therefore we receive our warmest temperatures during the summer. By Dec. 22 the opposite occurs. Now the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun. By Dec. 22 the opposite occurs. Now the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun.

9. 2.Air Masses Air Masses carry the conditions from where they originate. Air Masses carry the conditions from where they originate. Those conditions are a combination of two elements Those conditions are a combination of two elements Moisture Content Moisture Content Temperature Temperature

10. Moisture Moisture Maritime (m) – formed over water and therefore containing moisture. Maritime (m) – formed over water and therefore containing moisture. Continental (c) - formed over land and as a result is dry Continental (c) - formed over land and as a result is dry Temperature Tropical (T) – formed near the tropic (latitudes closer to the equator). Warm Polar (P) - formed between latitudes of 55° and 66°N. Cold Arctic (A) – formed over the Arctic. Very cold One letter from each category is combined to get a complete picture of each air mass. i.e.: mT (maritime Tropical) meaning wet and warm.

12. 3.Elevation / Altitude The higher it is from sea level the cooler the temperature. As elevation increases, the air becomes less dense. Less dense air cannot hold as much heat as dense air, meaning as elevation increases, temperature decreases. In dry air the change of temperature change is around 1°C for every 100m of elevation change. In moist or wet air the change of temperature is 0.6°C for every 100m of elevation change.

13. 4.Nearness to Water Large bodies of water have moderating effect on temperature. Large bodies of water have moderating effect on temperature. Water is slower to warm or cool than landforms Water is slower to warm or cool than landforms This means cooler summers and milder winters. This means cooler summers and milder winters. Less of a temperature range. Less of a temperature range. Land / Sea Breezes Land / Sea Breezes Land / Sea Breezes Land / Sea Breezes

15. Maritime vs Continental Climates Maritime Climates Maritime Climates 1. Near water 2. Moderating influence 3. Summers are cooler and winters are milder than you might expect 4. Cyclonic or orographic precipitation 5. Smaller temperature range Ex: NL or BC Continental Climates 1. Inland 2. Extreme influence 3. Warm, hot summers, and very cold winters 4. Convectional precipitation 5. Bigger range of temperature Ex: Canadian Prairies

16. 5. Landforms Landforms also affect patterns of precipitation. Landforms also affect patterns of precipitation. i.e. The large mountains on the West Coast of Canada act as a barrier and produce some of the highest amounts of precipitation (rain and snow) in Canada. As the wet Polar Pacific air masses reach the mountains the air is forced to rise causing orographic precipitation on the windward side of the mountain and a rain shadow on the leeward side. i.e. The large mountains on the West Coast of Canada act as a barrier and produce some of the highest amounts of precipitation (rain and snow) in Canada. As the wet Polar Pacific air masses reach the mountains the air is forced to rise causing orographic precipitation on the windward side of the mountain and a rain shadow on the leeward side.