four factors that influence climate. what is climate? average weather an area typically experiences...
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Four Factors that Influence Climate
What is climate?Average weatherAverage weather an area an area
typically experiencestypically experiences
over a long period of timeover a long period of time, , which includes temperature which includes temperature
and precipitation.and precipitation.
Factor #1: Latitude The The relative locationrelative location
north or southnorth or south of the of the equator equator influences influences temperaturetemperature of an area of an area
The The closer to the closer to the equatorequator, the , the warmerwarmer it it is, because of the direct is, because of the direct rays of the sun.rays of the sun.
Did you know Did you know The earth’s tiltThe earth’s tiltcauses seasons causes seasons
and lengths and lengths of days?of days?
What are the three latitude zones?
60-90°=60-90°= POLARPOLAR
60-90°=60-90°= POLARPOLAR
23.5-60°= 23.5-60°= TEMPERATETEMPERATE
23.5-60°= 23.5-60°= TEMPERATETEMPERATE
0-23.5°=0-23.5°= TROPICALTROPICAL
Q: Why is latitude the most important factor that influences climate?
A: When an area is closer to the sun (ie. the tropics) the days are longer
and the sun's rays are stronger. This heats the climate.
#2: Elevation (Altitude)
For every 1000 feet For every 1000 feet above sea level, the above sea level, the temperature drops temperature drops approximately 3° F.approximately 3° F.
#3: Location to aLarge Body of Water
Helps to moderate Helps to moderate the climatethe climate– Temperatures do not Temperatures do not
get too hot or too get too hot or too coldcold
– The area is more The area is more humid (moist)humid (moist)
#4: Wind and Ocean Currents
Prevailing Winds - Prevailing Winds - the the most dominant winds in most dominant winds in an areaan area– trade winds, westerlies, trade winds, westerlies,
polar easterliespolar easterlies
Ocean Currents - Ocean Currents - circulate hot and cold circulate hot and cold water around the earthwater around the earth
Skeleton Coast, NamibiaSkeleton Coast, Namibia