2.6 Elevation & Climate
• Understand the relationship between elevation & climate
• Chapter 4 p. 71

2.6.1 Define Elevation p. 71
• Elevation = height of a region above sea level
• Figure 1.6 p. 8 shows cross section of Canada
4000 m
Winnipeg
239 m
Sea Level

• Air temperature decreases 2 o C for every
300m increase in elevation
• IT’S TRUE!! In fact, the higher up we go; the colder it gets; hence snow on mountain tops

2.6.2 Describe the relationship between the elevation of a point and its temperature and precipitation.
See Figure 4.19 – Textbook…what is the relationship between temperatures and elevation ????
Stop
La Paz & Rio de Janeiro have similar dist. from ocean
& similar latitude . La Paz is much colder because of higher elevation .
•La Paz, Bolivia
•Elevation = 3600m
•Coldest month = 9 o C
•Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
•Elevation = 61m
•Coldest month= 25 o C

2.6.2 Describe the relationship between the elevation of a point and its temperature and precipitation .
•
Relief Rainfall
•
Windward Side of mountain
•
Leeward Side of Mountain
•
Rain shadow – What side?

Relief Rainfall – Recap!!!
Elevation and Precipitation
• Windward = side of a mountain wind blows toward
•
Leeward = side of mountain opposite from windward
•
Rain shadow = region on leeward side of mountain that receives little precipitation because most rain dropped on windward side.

2.6.3 Analyze the relationship between temperature and precipitation of a point and its location relative to a mountain system.
• Cities higher up in a mountain have colder temperatures
•
Cities on leeward side have little rain (rain shadow)
•
Cities on windward side have more rain
Vancouver wind
Prince George
Match the city to the data
•1113mm rain & 0 o C coldest month
•628mm rain & -12 o C coldest month

2.6.3 Practice
•
#37 p. 71
•
#40 a & b p. 72
•
#41 a & b p. 72