Canadian Geography 1202
Canada’s Climate Systems
Weather and Climate
• The weather and climate in Canada is very different from place to place. Why?
• There’s a global system of climate that’s always changing.
• It’s made up of the atmosphere, the circulation of water in the oceans, and differences in landforms from place to place.
The Sun
• The sun provides us with solar energy, which heats the air and the surface of the Earth.
• Since the Earth is curved, the equator receives more heat than the poles.
Angle of Sun’s Rays on Earth
• This heat imbalance kicks the winds and ocean currents in gear in an attempt to even out global temperatures.
• Polar air moves toward the equator and air from the equator moves to the poles.
• The oceans store and transport heat.
Ocean Currents in Canada
Air Masses in Canada
Air Masses in Canada
• There are six air masses that affect Canada. • They are all named based on where they
originate.• See pg. 81 for air masses in Canada.
Air Masses in Canada
• Wind blows these air masses across Canada.
• If a cold dry air mass passes over an ocean, it picks up moisture and warmth from it.
• Storms usually occur at the edge of air masses, called fronts.
The Polar Jet Stream
• A current of air that blows from west to east across Canada.
• Speeds of 300-500 km/h.
• It is the barrier between cold air in the north and warm air in the south.
• Meteorologists use the position of the jet stream to predict the weather.
• Airline pilots need to know where it is when they fly.
The Weather in Canada
• We get the weather reports from the Internet, TV, newspapers, and the radio.
• We check it to know what to wear each day and whether or not events will be cancelled.