Ecozones
An Ecozone is made up of different
characteristics that make this part
of Canada different and unique.
Fill in the figure below.
Human Use
Climate
Drainage
Ecozones
Wildlife
Landforms
Vegetation
Soil
2. Climate and Weather
Weather is the day-to-day characteristics of
temperature, precipitation and wind.
Climate long-term patterns of weather
3. This map below is
a weather map. It
shows the conditions
for one day.
Canada’s Weather
October 3, 2005
4. Canada’s Climate
• There are 6 main factors that make
Canada’s climate different.
LOWERN
L = Latitude
O = Ocean Currents
W = Wind
E = Elevation
R = Relief
N = Nearness to Water
L = Latitude:
LOWERN
• 1. The distance (north and south) from the
equator (0o).
• 2. Regions close to the equator are warmer
since direct sun’s rays produce more heat.
• 3. Latitude determines if a region is hot or
cold.
O = Ocean Currents
• 1. Ocean currents
bring warm or cold
water to new places
• 2. If the ocean current
is warm then it will
heat the air above it.
• 3. If the ocean current
is cold then it will cool
the air above it.
W = Wind:
• 1. Wind moves hot
and cold air to
other parts of the
world.
• 2. If there is no
wind, our weather
wouldn’t change
very much!
LOWERN
E = Elevation:
LOWERN
• 1. Elevation: refers to the height above
sea level.
• 2. The higher up you are
the colder it gets.
R = Relief:
LOWERN
• 1. Relief: refers to physical features
such
as mountain ranges
(i.e. big difference in
elevation).
• 2. Mountains act like a
barrier to air masses.
N = Nearness to Water:
LOWERN
• 1. Regions that are close to
oceans and large lakes
have different climates.
• 2. In the summer  water remains cooler than the
land and when wind blows, it brings cool air over the
land.
• 3. In the winter  water keeps its heat and when
wind blows, it bring warm air over the land.
LOWERN
5. Continental and Maritime Climates
• A region that is close to a large body of
water (ocean or large lakes) has a Maritime
Climate.
• A region that is NOT
close to a large body of
water has a Continental
Climate.
Canada’s Weather
October 25, 2004
LOWERN
Continental and Maritime
Climates
Continental Climate
Maritime Climate
So, Canada has different
Climates because of….
L = Latitude
O = Ocean Currents
W = Wind
E = Elevation
R = Relief
N = Nearness to water
How does climate affect us?
1. A Drought (no rain, very dry period) can destroy
crops and soil.
2. Major snow/rain storms can cause major
transportation problems
3. Climate affects the vegetation, soil and
wildlife (animals).
4. Climate also affects certain industries in
Canada like farming and forestry.
5.Turn over your page to do the next section.
Four Types of Precipitation:
• Rain, Snow, Hail, Sleet
Chinook:
A warm wind from the Rocky Mountains that
quickly warms Alberta’s temperatures. It is
also called the “snow eater” because it can
raise temperatures by 21C in 4 minutes!
Temperature Range
= Highest Temperature – Lowest Temperature
Climate Graphs
A Climate Graph
shows the average
temperatures and
precipitation
(rainfall), for each
month for a region or
city.
A Climate Graph should have…
1. Title of
region or city
2. Temperature
(oC) in a red line
5. Average Annual
temperature (oC) &
Total annual
precipitation (mm)
3. Precipitation
(mm) drawn in
blue blocks
4. Months at
the bottom