Factors Factors Affecting Affecting Climate Climate
Factors Factors Affecting Affecting ClimateClimate
An easy way to An easy way to remember…remember…
O-ocean currentsO-ocean currentsW-wind patternsW-wind patternsE-elevationE-elevationL-latitudeL-latitudeL-landforms/water bodiesL-landforms/water bodies
LATITUDELATITUDE•LOW LATITUDESLOW LATITUDES•MIDDLE LATITUDESMIDDLE LATITUDES•HIGH LATITUDESHIGH LATITUDES
Low LatitudesLow Latitudes
•Located between the Located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of CapricornTropic of Capricorn–(23 ½ degrees north to (23 ½ degrees north to 23 ½ degrees south)23 ½ degrees south)
•Direct sunlight year-roundDirect sunlight year-round•Very warm/hot climatesVery warm/hot climates
Middle LatitudesMiddle Latitudes•Northern Hemisphere: Tropic Northern Hemisphere: Tropic
of Cancer to Arctic Circleof Cancer to Arctic Circle•Southern Hemisphere: Tropic Southern Hemisphere: Tropic
of Capricorn to Antarctic of Capricorn to Antarctic Circle Circle –(23 ½ degrees N to 66 ½ (23 ½ degrees N to 66 ½ degrees N)degrees N)
–(23 ½ degrees S to 66 ½ (23 ½ degrees S to 66 ½ degrees S)degrees S)
Middle LatitudesMiddle Latitudes
•Summer: Warm airSummer: Warm air•Winter: Cold airWinter: Cold air•Temperate climate-ranges Temperate climate-ranges from fairly hot to fairly cold. from fairly hot to fairly cold.
•Weather changes Weather changes dramatically with seasonsdramatically with seasons
High LatitudesHigh Latitudes•Northern Hemisphere: North Northern Hemisphere: North
Pole to Arctic CirclePole to Arctic Circle•Southern Hemisphere: South Southern Hemisphere: South
Pole to Antarctic Circle Pole to Antarctic Circle –66 ½ degrees N to 90 degrees N66 ½ degrees N to 90 degrees N–66 ½ degrees S to 90 degrees S66 ½ degrees S to 90 degrees S
•Indirect sunlight; cold climateIndirect sunlight; cold climate
ELEVATIONELEVATION•Air temps decrease with Air temps decrease with
elevation!elevation!•For every 1,000 ft increase in For every 1,000 ft increase in
elevation, the temp drops by 3 ½ elevation, the temp drops by 3 ½ degrees. degrees.
•Example: Quito, EcuadorExample: Quito, Ecuador–Elevation of 9,000 ftElevation of 9,000 ft–25 degrees cooler than 25 degrees cooler than surrounding areassurrounding areas
Wind PatternsWind Patterns•Low latitudes: Easterly Trade Low latitudes: Easterly Trade
WindsWinds–Blow towards equator from 30 Blow towards equator from 30 degrees N and 30 degrees Sdegrees N and 30 degrees S
•Mid-Latitudes: WesterliesMid-Latitudes: Westerlies•High Latitudes: Polar easterliesHigh Latitudes: Polar easterlies•Equator: Windless area called Equator: Windless area called
the the doldrumsdoldrums
Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents•May be warm or coldMay be warm or cold•Either have a cooling effect Either have a cooling effect
OR a warming effect on the OR a warming effect on the land they passland they pass
•Example: Gulf Stream current Example: Gulf Stream current warms western Europewarms western Europe
Landforms/Water Landforms/Water BodiesBodies
•Orographic Effect: rain Orographic Effect: rain shadow on leeward side of shadow on leeward side of mountainsmountains
• Areas located by oceans Areas located by oceans have better regulated have better regulated temperatures than interior temperatures than interior areas because water is slower areas because water is slower to heat and cool than land is.to heat and cool than land is.