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?