Lacemop – Factors that
affect climate
Definitions
Weather:
 a condition of the atmosphere in one place
during a short period of time
Climate:
 weather patterns typical for an area over a
long period of time
Identify eight factors that affect climate
a n d e x p l a i n h o w e a c h a ffe c ts c l i m a te .
Latitude
As latitude increases the average
annual temperature decreases.
Air masses
Convectional Precipitation:
Typical of hot climates; convection occurs after
morning sunshine heats warm moist air. Clouds
form in the afternoon and the rain falls.
Frontal Precipitation
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when 2 fronts of different temperatures meet.
Warm air forced upward by heavier, cool air.
Rising warm air cools = precipitation--Most
common type
Air masses take on the weather of the place
they come from.
continentality
Land and water absorb and store energy at different
rates. Land changes quickly — water more slowly.
Opposite air blows off the water and moderates land
temperature.
In Plain English:
Temperatures along the coastline are always milder
(cooler in summer, warmer in winter) due to the
effect of breezes coming from the water.
Large bodies of water have a moderating
effect on land temperatures.
Elevation
As elevation increases, the average annual
temperature decreases.
Mountains Barriers
Mountains block air masses and causes
Orographic Precipitation:
• Warm moist air forced upward when passing
over a mountain. Warm winds cool as they
rise over the mountains and clouds form
• Air is warm and dry on the other side
Windward: mountain side which faces the ocean
Leeward: mountain side which is in a “rain shadow”
(no precipitation received)
Windward Side: cool, moist
Leeward Side: warm, dry
Ocean Currents
• Help to distribute heat
• Carry warm water from tropics to poles and
return cold water to the Equator
• Winds affect
current
movement
• Air masses take
on water
temperature
Cool Currents: Cooler climate
Warm Currents: Warmer climate
Pressure and Wind
Rising warm air = low pressure
Falling cool air = high pressure
Wind moves high to low
Movement from poles to equator and back
Coriolis Effect: rotation of
the earth bends the patterns
of the wind
Winds blow in constant patterns and are called
prevailing winds.
Historical Fact: Many were named for the
direction they blew…some were even given
names because they were used by trading ships
through the region…
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Doldrums: windless
area near the equator
Horse Latitudes: Historically, ships would lighten their
loads in order to take advantage of the slightest wind such
as cargo, excess supplies and livestock…this also included
horses.
Winds distribute the sun’s heat around the
earth.
Global Warming
The increase in the average temperature of the
Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid20th century and its projected continuation.
Earth’s atmosphere acts a a greenhouse trapping
50% of the sun’s heat radiation.
Clouds, water vapor and carbon dioxide absorbs
the heat reflected by the earth and radiates it back
again to keep the balance.
• Burning of coal, oil and natural gas has
caused the CO2 levels to rise—increased
burning will trap more heat in the atmosphere.
• Some scientists predict it will cause more
extreme global weather patterns.