This document discusses factors that influence climate, including temperature and rainfall. It describes how latitude affects average yearly temperature, with warmer temperatures near the equator and cooler temperatures nearer the poles. Altitude and proximity to water also impact temperature, with cooler temperatures at higher elevations and nearer coastal areas. Rainfall patterns are influenced by global wind belts, with more rain occurring near the equator and less in subtropical zones. Mountains can induce orographic precipitation on their windward sides. Specific climate phenomena like El Niño and lake effect snow are also summarized.

1. CLIMATE

2. What is Climate?
Climate - the weather conditions
prevailing in an area in general over a
long period

3. Climate Zones
 Tundra
 Desert
Climate BrainPOP
 Rain Forest
 Deciduous Forest

4. Factors Affecting
Climate
Temperature Factors
1. Latitude
• Average Yearly Temperature
• Yearly Temperature Range
2. Altitude
3. Ocean Currents
4. Marine Vs. Continental
Rainfall Factors
11.. LLaattiittuuddee
2. Mountains - OOrrooggrraapphhiicc PPrreecciippiittaattiioonn

5. Latitude - Average Yearly Temperature
0° 90 °
Latitude
Avg.
Yearly
Temp.
• The area that receives the
most direct rays of the Sun
(equator, 0°) will have the
highest yearly
temperatures.
• The area that receives
the least direct rays of
the sun (poles, 90°) will
have the lowest yearly
temperatures.
• As latitude increases,
average yearly
temperatures decreases

6. Latitude - Yearly Temperature
Range
• Equatorial areas receive the direct rays of the Sun for most of the
year. Therefore, the yearly temperature does not change much.
Temperature
JFMAMJJASOND
Month
Low Latitudes
Mid Latitudes
High Latitudes

7. Latitude - Yearly Temperature
Range
• As latitude increases, yearly temperature range
increases
0° 90 °
Latitude

8. Altitude - Average Yearly
Temperature Range
• Altitude - the height of an object above sea level.
Low average yearly
temperature range
High average yearly
temperature range

9. Altitude - Average Yearly
Temperature
• As altitude increases, average yearly temperature
decreases
Altitude

10. Ocean Currents
• Ocean currents move warm water from
the equator towards the poles.
• Ocean currents move cold water from
the poles back to the equator to be
heated again. (pg. _4_ of ESRT)
Animation

11. Ocean Currents

12. Marine vs. Continental
• Sea or land locations affects temperature
ranges. Since land gains and loses heat much
more quickly than water, land areas tend to have
warmer summers and cooler winters. Coastal
areas near the ocean have cooler summers and
milder/warmer winters.
• Coastal areas have marine climates with a small
yearly temperature range and areas inland have
continental climates with a larger yearly
temperature range

13. Marine Vs. Continental
This graph shows the average
monthly temperatures for two
cities, A and B, which are both
located at 41ºN latitude.
Why is there a difference in the
average yearly temperature range
for the two cities?
 IInntteerraaccttiivvee CClliimmaattee MMaapp
• Because City A is located
inland (continental) and City B
is located near water (marine)

14. Rainfall Factors - Latitude
• Uneven heating of the
Earth produces global
wind & pressure belts.
These belts determine
the wetness or dryness
of an area.
• Low Pressure - rising
air creates precipitation
• High Pressure - sinking
air creates a lack of
precipitation
Animation

15. Latitude Continued
 What latitudes are areas of low
pressure?
0°, 60°N, 60°S
 What is the climate like there?
 What latitudes are areas of high
pressure?
 What is the climate like there?
High rainfall
30°N, 30°S, 90°N, 90°S
Low rainfall

16. Orographic Precipitation
WIWNDinWdwARaDrd LEEWARD
rises
5. Precipitation
3. Cools
2. Expands
1. Rises
4.Condenses
6. Sinks
7. Compresses
8. Warms
Warm air
Humid/Moist Arid/Dry

17. Windward Vs. Leeward
• Rainfall occurs on the windward side of the
mountain where the air is rising.
• Cool & Wet
• It is dry on the leeward side of
the mountain where the air is sinking.
• Warm & Dry

18. Orographic Precipitation Video

19. El Nino
• A warming of the surface water of the eastern
and central Pacific Ocean, occurring every 4 to
12 years and causing unusual global weather
patterns.
• El Nino brings heavy rain to western South
American and drought to eastern Australia and
Indonesia.
Animation

20. El Nino Video

22. Lake Effect Snow
• The air moving over
the water needs to be
cooler than the water.
• The surface of the
lake can’t be frozen

23. Lake Effect Snow
• Water begins evaporating
off of the surface of the
lake into the air.
• Fetch - distance over open
water
• The greater distance the
wind blows over the warm
water, the greater the
convection /evaporation.

24. Lake Effect Snow
CLOUD FORMATION
CONDENSES
COOL
EXPAND
RISE
Warm air over water begins
to

25. Lake Effect Snow
 In some localities,
wind blowing from a
lake onshore is
forced to climb up
hills creating the
orographic effect

26. Lake Effect Snow Video

27. Areas Affected by Lake
Effect