Climate Factors

Latitude

Latitude

• The amount of sunlight never varies.• It spreads over larger areas near the poles because of the curve of the Earth.• A larger area means a wider distribution of the limited energy.

Ocean Currents

Ocean Currents• Temperature of ocean current affects temperature of air that passes over it.• This air warms or cools the land nearby.

• East Coast of Canada: cold Labrador Current• West Coast of Canada: warm North Pacific Current

For example…

Winds (and Pressure)

Winds (and Pressure)• Air travels from areas of high pressure to low pressure.• This travel is what we call wind.• These differences in pressure are caused by uneven heating of the land.

A conveyor belt of wind

Winds (and Pressure)• Wind named after the direction from which it flows i.e. Westerlies come from the west.• Winds around the Equator are called “trade winds”, and are also named for the direction they come from.

Winds (and Pressure)Some terms…Prevailing Winds – a well-established pattern of winds that blow from west to east (in Canada). These move the air masses that affect our weather.Jet Stream – a current of fast-moving air high in the atmosphere (close to the tropopause, beyond which is little to no weather at all). Moves 300-500 km/h.Coriolis Effect – The deflection of moving objects (wind!) due to the Earth’s rotation. Angles away from the Equator.

Elevation

Elevation

• Temperatures continue to descend about -1 degree Celsius per 100 metres until you reach the tropopause (after that, things get wonky!)• This is called the (Dry) Temperature Lapse Rate.• When evaporation starts to occur, temperatures descend at only -0.6 degrees Celsius per 100 metres.• This is called the (Wet) Temperature Lapse Rate.

Relief

Relief• Refers to differences in elevation on the planet.• Relief acts as a barrier system for the movement of air masses (wind).Being at a high elevation affects climate, but

so does being at a low elevation with high elevations around you!

Relief

Nearness to Water

Nearness to Water

• Transparency (depth)

• Fluidity (movement)

Water is awesome. It has many qualities that affect heat absorption and radiation:

• Evaporation (phase change)

• Higher Heat Capacity