Chapter 4 Section 1 What Causes Climate
study guide / notes
Climate- The average year after year conditions of temperature, precipitation, wind, and clouds in an
area.
Microclimate- A small area with climate conditions that differ from those around it (miniclimate)
Tropical Zone- Area near the equator that receives direct sunlight year round making the climate there
warm.
Polar Zone- Colder climates near the poles.
Temperate Zone- between the polar and tropical and has warm summers and cold winters.
Factors affecting temperatureMarine Climates- Coastlines will have more constant temperatures due to the body of water.
Continental Climates- Will have more extreme temperatures, cold winters and warm summers.
Factors affecting precipitation
Prevailing wind patterns- the global wind patterns that bring the different air masses to a region.
Mountain RangesWindward- the wind side of the mountain where the rain will fall
Leeward- the rain shadow where there is little rain due to the moisture not being able
to make it over the mountain top.
Seasonal WindsMonsoons- seasonal winds that bring heavy rains to an area.
SeasonsTilted Axis- Earth is tilted at 23.50 which effects the way that the sun’s rays strike the planet. As
we orbit the sun, certain area’s of the Earth are closer to the sun creating summer and winter.