CLIMATE

LOWERN

There are 6 factors that affect climate Latitude Ocean Currents Wind/Air Mass Elevation Relief Near Water

Latitude

Distance from the equatorFurther from the equator, the greater the area the sun’s energy covers

Latitude

How does Latitude Affect Climate?

As latitude ________, the averageannual temperature _________.

0° Latitude 90°

Tem

pera

ture

increases decrease

s

Ocean Currents

• The temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature of the air that passes above it

Ocean Currents

• In the Gulf Stream- warm, moist air is carried from the Gulf of Mexico to Nova Scotia and the southern parts of Newfoundland

• The warm North Pacific current heats the cool air passing over it, giving a mild climate to Coastal British Columbia

• The cold Labrador Current cools the air of Labrador and Northern Newfoundland

• Where the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream meet ( over the Grand Banks) the weather is often damp and foggy

Ocean Currents

Gulf Stream

How do ocean currentsaffect climate?

Warm Currents: warmer climateCold Currents: cooler climate

Wind/Air Mass

Prevailing Winds

In Canada, the prevailing winds called Westerlies, blowing from west to east.

Temperature of the winds depend on if they originated from the equator or the poles 

Wind/Air Mass

The weight of air is called air pressure Two types of Air Pressure: High and LowHigh Pressure- when rising air cools and

falls towards the earthLow Pressure- when warm air, above

heated ground, rises

Effect of High Pressure on Climate and Weather

High pressure is associated with clear, sunny days Air is cool and dry

Effect of Low Air Pressure on Climate and Weather

Low air pressure is usually associated with warm, moist air This also creates clouds

Elevation

Elevation

How does elevation

affect Climate?As elevation

_____________, theAverage annual

Temperature_____________

increases

decreasesElevation

Tem

pera

ture

WHY???

Relief

Relief

How does relief affect climate?

Windward Side: ___________Leeward Side: _____________

cool, moistwarm, dry

Relief

The windward sides of the Adirondacks &

Catskills receive a great deal more precipitation

The leeward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills

receive much less

precipitation

Near Water

Bodies of water have a moderating effect on land temperatures.

HOW? Oceans and large lakes heat up and cool

down at a slower rate than the surrounding land

So in the winter, the water retains heat longer and keeps climate to surrounding land warmer

In summer, water takes longer to heat up, cooling the climate in the surrounding land

Near Water

Near Water

How does closeness to a large body of water affect climate?

Water __________ the temperature._______ summers. _______ winters.

moderatesCooler Warme

r

City B is closer to a large body of water.

Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

Cities A & B are located

at the same latitude.

Climate Zones of Canada

Arctic Climate Zone

Characteristics Cold winters, cool summers Precipitation - low amount (less than

50 cm) - snow High winds Coastal areas are warmer and have heavier

snow falls

Mountain

Characteristics Very diverse because of the 2 mountain

ranges Summers tend to be dry, with wetter

winters Temperatures tend to drop the higher you

get in elevation Precipitation- West side of Coastal Mnts -

120-150 cm - East side of Coastal Mnts-

30-80 cm - West side of Rockies- 120

cm

West Coast

Characteristics Very wet (60- 400cm precipitation) Cool summers, mild winters

Boreal

Characteristics Temperature range is large because zone

covers large area latitudinal Precipitation is generally low, with higher

amounts in the eastern coastal areas

Prairie

Characteristics Extreme temperature range Windy Generally very dry

Southeastern

Characteristics Cool winters, warm to hot summers Prone to highly changeable weather Moderate precipitation- various forms One of the major storm tracks of North

America