Climate: Factors That Climate: Factors That Affect PrecipitationAffect Precipitation

Objective: Explain what affects precipitation and its

role in climate.

Precipitation & ClimatePrecipitation & Climate

The amount of precipitation is 1 of the 2 factors that determines a city’s climate.

What affects precipitation?What affects precipitation?

2 natural factors affect precipitation

Prevailing winds &

Mountain ranges

What is a prevailing What is a prevailing wind?wind?

A prevailing wind is a wind that blows more often from one direction than from any other.

Prevailing Winds & Prevailing Winds & MoistureMoisture

The amount of moisture the wind carries is dependant on 2 things:

how the wind forms&

direction from which it blows

Wind FormationWind Formation Winds form either by:

Rising warm air brings precipitation

OR Sinking cool air brings little

precipitation

Wind DirectionWind Direction Land breeze (land water)

Brings little precipitation

Sea breeze (water land) Brings more moisture

Mountain Ranges & Mountain Ranges & PrecipitationPrecipitation

Mountain ranges: act as a barrier to the prevailing winds

& they force the air to rise, which cools it &

causes precipitation

Sides of the MountainSides of the Mountain Windward side: side that face the wind

Receives most of moisture

Leeward side: side that faces a way from the wind Receives little moisture

Diagram of Diagram of Windward/LeewardWindward/Leeward

SummarySummary1. Add questions to the left column of

your notes.

2. In place of a summary please answer the following question:

How is it possible for a desert to exist next to a large body of water?