Six factors that influence climate

Climate:

Latitude

Latitude• Click to view a map showing today's

high temperatures in the world• As you examine the map, answer

these questions:1. How does the color scale tell you the

temperatures?2. What is the trend in the data for

temperatures? (look for a pattern connecting temperature and latitude).

Latitude

– Higher latitudes (further away from the equator you go (North or South) the cooler the climate becomes. Highest latitude = 90o

– Lower latitudes (closer to the Equator), the warmer climate becomes. Equator = 0o

Colder Warmer

City Comparisons - latitude

Predict the temperature difference between Lincoln, Nebraska and Dallas, Texas, based on their locations. Then click on the links below to see their data.

Lincoln, Nebraska

Dallas, Texas

Friedman’s Climate Page

Elevation

Elevation data

• Click the link to visit Google Maps. Make sure you have clicked the “satellite” box. Drag the map around, and find the snow-capped mountains (they are white on top).

Elevation• Temperature typically drops 3.5o F for each

1,000 feet higher in elevation.• Altitude in Denver, CO – 5,280 ft above sea

level. – Average summer temp – 73oF– Average winter temp – 31oF

• Baltimore, MD has the same latitude as Denver, but different altitude (446 ft above sea level)– Average summer temp – 80oF– Average winter temp – 38oF

Elevation Question

• Summarize the effect that elevation has on climate.

More to explore...Why???

TOPOGRAPHY

Topography• Topography – surface features including

mountain ranges, valleys, etc.

City examples

Seattle vs Wenatchee– Approximately the same latitude– Approximately the same altitude

Seattle: 3” rain/mo average, 40” rain/year

Wenatchee: 0.75” rain/mo average, 9” rain/year

Seattle, WA vs. Wenatchee WA

Cascade Mountains

The “Rain Shadow” Effect

Wind direction

The air drops its moisture on the way up the mountain range.

By the time the air has gone over the mountain, it is dried out, leading to a desert.

Rain Shadow Effect

Another example of rain shadow

http://www.sandwichislands.com/Graphics/rain.jpg

World Deserts

Distance from Water

Buffalo, NY vs Albany, NY

Lake Erie

Oceans and Large Lakes• Surface currents are caused by winds,

but the currents affect the winds as well.

• Winds pick up moisture as they blow across warm water currents, bringing warm, moist air to coastal regions.

• Cool water currents cause the winds blowing over them to cool, bring cool dry air to coastal regions.

“Lake Effect” Snow

Can you see the Great Lakes under the

clouds?

Windward vs. Leeward

Wind usually blows from thisdirection

Windward side of lake

Leeward side of lake

“Lake Effect” Snow

The ocean stores energy from the Sun• The ocean heats and cools more slowly

than land, because the ocean stores energy in the water

• Land heats and cools more quickly, because only the top layer gets heated, and this energy is quickly given off

(that’s why the desert that is hot during the day can be cold at night)

Ocean Keeps Winter Mild• In winter, the ocean cools more slowly than

the land; therefore, temperatures at the coast are not as cold as inland temperatures.

.Maryland is not as cold as Iowa in winter.

Ocean City

Ijamsville

Ocean City, MD is not as cold as Ijamsville, MD in winter

Ocean Keeps Summer Mild• In summer, the ocean heats more slowly

than the land; therefore, temperatures at the coast are not as hot as inland temperatures.

Ocean City

Ijamsville

Ocean City, MD is not as warm as Ijamsville, MD in summer

Earth’s Winds

Earth’s WindsPrevailing Winds

Winds that blow more often from one direction than the other.

Prevailing Winds Effect on Climate

• These winds carry the moisture of the oceans and large lakes to the continents.

• In the United States, weather fronts typically move from west to east because of the wind.

Earth’s Winds• Prevailing Winds

– Winds that blow more often from one direction than the other.

• These winds carry the moisture of the oceans and large lakes to the continents.

• In the United States, weather fronts typically move from west to east because of the wind.

A B D E

X

Y

F

Which is colder, X or Y? Which has a bigger temperature range, G or H?Which is colder, B or C? Which gets more snow, D or E?Which would likely get a storm first, C or D? Why does A get so much rain?

C

G H

Discussion Questions

Ocean Currents

Land near cool currents has cooler temperatures. Land near warm currents has warmer temperatures.