Identify the five mainfactors that affect climate and explain how each affects climate.

1. Latitude2. Closeness to large bodies of water3. Proximity of mountain ranges4. Elevation5. Ocean Currents

How does latitude affect climate?

As latitude ________, the averageannual temperature _________.

0° Latitude 90°

Tem

per

atu

redecreases

increases

Tropical Latitudes

Tropic of Cancer

• The Tropic of Cancer, also referred to as the Northern tropic, is the circle of latitude on the Earth that marks the most northerly position at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its zenith. This event occurs once per year, at the time of the June solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun to its maximum extent.

Tropic of Capricorn

• The Tropic of Capricorn, or Southern tropic, marks the most southerly latitude on the Earth at which the Sun can be directly overhead. This event occurs at the December solstice, when the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun to its maximum extent.

Arctic & Antarctic Circle

60th Parallel

• At this latitude the sun is visible for 18 hours, 52 minutes during the summer solstice and 5 hours, 52 minutes during the winter solstice.

• On 21 June, the sun is at 53.83 degrees up in the sky and 6.17 degrees on 21 December

Barrow, Alaska

• In Barrow, the sun does not set between May 10 and August 2 each summer, and does not rise between November 18 and January 24 each winter.

• This is because the city is about 400 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

Barrow, Alaska

• The Arctic Circle marks the southern limit of the area where the sun does not set on the summer solstice or rise on the winter solstice.

• Continuous day or night ranges from one day at the Arctic Circle to six months at the North Pole.

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

Water __________ the temperature._______ summers. _______ winters.

City B is closer to a large body of water.

Its temperature line is flatter (moderated).

moderates

Cities A & B are located at the same latitude.

Cooler Warmer

The windward sides of the Adirondacks & Catskills receive a great deal more

precipitation

The leeward sides of the

Adirondacks & Catskills

receive much less

precipitation

How does the Orographic Effect

affect climate?

Windward Side: ___________Leeward Side: _____________

cool, moistwarm, dry

Page 14 of the ESRTs

We live in the troposphere. Temperature decreases

with elevation.

During summer, temperature is strongly controlled by elevation -- cold at the higher reaches of the Alaska and Brooks Ranges, and warmer in the lowlands.

How does elevation affect climate?

As elevation _________, the averageannual temperature __________.

Elevation

Tem

per

atu

reincreases

decreases

How do ocean currentsaffect climate?

Warm Currents: warmer climateCold Currents: cooler climate