Climate is determined by averaging temperature, precipitation, humidity, air pressure and sunshine over many years. It influences what plants and animals can survive and how people live. Several factors affect climate, including latitude, with warmer temperatures near the equator and cooler temperatures closer to the poles. Ocean currents and large bodies of water influence coastal climates, and elevation impacts climate with colder temperatures at higher altitudes and wetter climates on the windward sides of mountains. Cities also impact local climate by absorbing more solar radiation than surrounding areas.

2. Section 1: What is
Climate?
 Climate is the pattern of weather that
occurs in an area over many years.
 It determines the types of plants or animals
that can survive, and influences how people
live.

3. Climate continued…
 Elements that are averaged to determine
climate: Temperature, Precipitation, air
pressure, humidity, and days of sunshine.

4. Climate…

5. Factors that Affect Climate
1. Latitude: distance north or south of the
equator.
a. Tropics: (between 23 degrees N. and 23
degrees S.); Sun shines directly from
overhead, keeping temperatures high

6. Factors that Affect Climate
b. Polar Zones: (66 degrees N. & 66 degrees
S. to the poles) ; Sun shines at a low angle,
keeping Temperatures low
c. Temperate Zones: (between the tropics
and the poles); Moderate Temperatures

7. Climate Map

8. Climate Map

9. Factors that Affect Climate
2. Ocean Currents & Large Bodies of Water:
a. Ocean Currents can bring cool or warm
water and moisture to coastal areas
b. Large bodies of water affect the climate
of coastal areas by absorbing or giving
off heat

10. Factors that Affect Climate

11. Factors that Affect Climate
 3. Elevation:
a. Mountains affect their own climate as well as the
climates of nearby areas
b. At the same latitude, the climate on a mountain is
colder than the climate at sea level
c. Mountains cause air to rise, cool, and condense,
creating a wetter climate on the windward side of
the mountain and a much drier climate on the
leeward side (Chinook Winds)

13. Chinook Winds

14. Factors that Affect Climate
 4. Cities: because of their large areas of
solar radiation—absorbing pavement, cities
frequently have higher temperatures that
surrounding areas

15. City Heat