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Climate Factors
Climate
• Average weather conditions of a region, or the weather patterns that occur over many years
Temperature Range
• The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures of a day or month
Climate
• Is determined by multiple factors– Temperature– Precipitation– Latitude– Heat absorption and release– Topography
Latitude
• Distance from the Equator• Determines the amount of solar
energy received • Influenced by the wind belts
*Solar Energy*
• Depends on – The angle at which the rays of the sun
strike the Earth– Number of hours of daylight the location
receives
Wind Patterns
• Affect– Humidity– Precipitation– Temperature– Cloud cover
Wind Patterns
• Doldrums at the Equator– Low Pressure– Air rises and cools– Water vapor condenses– Heavy Rain
Wind Patterns
• Subtropical Highs 20°-30°– High Pressure– Air sinks and warms– Drying effect– Deserts
*Heat Absorption and Release*
• Land heats faster and to a high degree
• Because land is:– Solid– Unmoving
*Heat Absorption and Release*
• Water has a higher specific heat– Amount of energy required to raise the
temperature 1°
• Water is moving– Cooler water is constantly replacing
warmer water
*Heat Absorption and Release*
• Ocean Currents– Winds that blow toward the shore, then
currents have a stronger effect on their air masses
*Heat Absorption and Release*
• Seasonal Winds– Warm land/ Cool water (summer)
• Wind blows towards land
– Cool land/ Warm water (winter)• Wind blows towards water
*Heat Absorption and Release*
• Seasonal Winds– Monsoons
• Winds carry moisture to land causing a wet season
• Winds blow towards the water causing a dry season
Topography
• Shape of the land• Mountains influences temperature
and precipitation
Topography
• Warm air encounters a mountain– The air rises ( to move over the
mountain)– The air cools– Cool air can’t hold as much moisture as
warm air– Creates rain
Topography
• At the top of the mountain– The air begins to warm– Air is dry
Topography
• Foehn– Warm, Dry air that blows down the
Eastern side of the Alps
• Chinook– Warm, Dry wind that blows down the
Eastern side of the Rocky Mountains
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