Name ________________________
Lab # _________
The Causes of Climate
In the last unit you studied the atmospheric conditions over a short period of time (weather), in this
investigation you will explore how weather patterns affect the climate of an area. There are various
types of climates across North America. Some of these include deserts, rainforests, and polar ice caps.
Why do these differences occur? In this investigation you will use your knowledge of weather and
water to identify climate zones.
Problem - What factors cause differences in climate?
Vocabulary
Precipitation
Evapotranspiration
Climate Ratio
Arid
Semi-Arid
Sub-Humid
Humid
Water Deficit
Water Surplus
Procedure:
1) Using page 14 in the Earth Science Reference Table, label the pressure belts on the right of the
map. Areas of the planet that are dry are associated with high pressure (sinking air). The north pole
has been done for you.
2) Using page 14 in the Earth Science Reference Table, draw in the planetary wind belts on the left
side of the continent, the wind belt between 90N and 60N has been done for you.
3) There are two ocean currents on the map, label the currents either hot or cold.
4) Draw Climatic Isolines on the imaginary continent. You will draw the 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 isolines.
5) Using colored pencils, color in the arid, sub-arid, humid and sub-humid climate zones.
1-4 MATCH THE YEARLY TEMPERATURE GRAPHS WITH THE LOCATIONS ON THE MAP
1. Monthly temperature variation for location "A". ________
2. Monthly temperature variation for location "B". ________
3. Monthly temperature variation for location "G". ________
4. Monthly temperature variation for location "J". ________
The arrows drawn in the ocean along the coastline of the continent represent ocean currents. Answer
the following questions based on the diagram of the continent and your knowledge of Earth Science.
5. Describe the direction of motion of these currents, __________________
(Clockwise or counterclockwise)
6. What motion of the earth causes these ocean currents to move this way?
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7. What is the effect called of this motion of Earth? __________________
8. What effect will the ocean currents along the west coast of the continent have on annual average
temperatures of the west coast? Explain.
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9. What effect will the ocean current along the east coast of the continent have on the annual average
temperature of the east coast? Explain.
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10. Location "F" has a colder temperature than other locations at the same latitude. Explain the reason
for this observation.
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11. Location "D" has greater average annual precipitation than location "E". Explain the reason for this
observation.
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12. What type of climate is found at 0 latitude (temperature and moisture levels)
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13. Using your knowledge of the temperature at the equator, describe the movement of the air which
produces a humid climate.
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14. How does the range of yearly temperature compare for city B and city C? Explain your answer.
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15. Using your knowledge in questions 11-13, why is the climate at 30N and 30S latitude arid?
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Conclusion – Describe how latitude, elevation, the orographic effect, and distance from a large body of
water affect a locations climate.
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