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September 20, 2012
Factors that affect climate
LAMECOWS
Factors That Effect Climate
Weather vs Climate• Weather:
Atmospheric conditions over a SHORT time (day - NOW)
More WeatherPrecipitation: Moisture that falls from the sky. RAIN, SNOW, SLEET & HAIL!
Climate• Climate:
Atmospheric conditions over a LONG time (YEARS)
World Climate Regions
LAMECOWS• L-atitude• A-ir Pressure• M-ountain
Barriers• E-levation• C-ontinentalality• O-cean Currents• W-ind Belts• S-torms
Latitude
• °N or °S of equator• Equator = direct rays = hot• Poles = very indirect rays = cold• Biggest effect on climate!!
Latitude: Earth Sun Relations
Air Pressure• Unequal heating of earth’s surface
• Low pressure = warm, moist air → rises; forms clouds →storms
• High pressure = cold, dry air → sinks → clear weather
Mountain Barriers• Rain shadow Effect:
Mountains block wind & rain
Windward side (Wet) Leeward side (Dry)
Elevation• Increase in elevation
= Decrease in temperature
Continentality
Oceans collect solar energy
Water heats & cools slower than land, so …
1. Coast = stable temp.
2. Interior = extreme temps.(hotter & colder)
Ocean Currents
• 1. Giant rivers of sea water flowing on ocean surface
• 2. Flow in circular paths:
Warm currents carry water low → high lats.,
Cool currents carry water high → low lats.
Ocean Currents
Wind Belts• “Wind” = air
movement from high pressure to low pressure
• (ex. poke a hole in a tire)
Wind Belts• Trade Winds: high P (30°) → low P (0°)
• Westerlies: high P (30°) → low P (60°) (ex. U.S. weather from west →east)
• Polar winds: → bring cold air from poles (90° → 60°)
Storms
• Occur during low pressure conditions.
• Storm front = when two air masses with different temperatures meet.
StormsThunderstorms: Fronts
& high pressure areas along equator
Tornadoes – form along fronts
Tropical storms/ hurricanes – form in oceans