Factors Factors Affecting Affecting ClimateClimate

An easy way to An easy way to remember…remember…

O-ocean currentsO-ocean currentsW-wind patternsW-wind patternsE-elevationE-elevationL-latitudeL-latitudeL-landforms/water bodiesL-landforms/water bodies

LATITUDELATITUDE•LOW LATITUDESLOW LATITUDES•MIDDLE LATITUDESMIDDLE LATITUDES•HIGH LATITUDESHIGH LATITUDES

Low LatitudesLow Latitudes

•Located between the Located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of CapricornTropic of Capricorn–(23 ½ degrees north to (23 ½ degrees north to 23 ½ degrees south)23 ½ degrees south)

•Direct sunlight year-roundDirect sunlight year-round•Very warm/hot climatesVery warm/hot climates

Middle LatitudesMiddle Latitudes•Northern Hemisphere: Tropic Northern Hemisphere: Tropic

of Cancer to Arctic Circleof Cancer to Arctic Circle•Southern Hemisphere: Tropic Southern Hemisphere: Tropic

of Capricorn to Antarctic of Capricorn to Antarctic Circle Circle –(23 ½ degrees N to 66 ½ (23 ½ degrees N to 66 ½ degrees N)degrees N)

–(23 ½ degrees S to 66 ½ (23 ½ degrees S to 66 ½ degrees S)degrees S)

Middle LatitudesMiddle Latitudes

•Summer: Warm airSummer: Warm air•Winter: Cold airWinter: Cold air•Temperate climate-ranges Temperate climate-ranges from fairly hot to fairly cold. from fairly hot to fairly cold.

•Weather changes Weather changes dramatically with seasonsdramatically with seasons

High LatitudesHigh Latitudes•Northern Hemisphere: North Northern Hemisphere: North

Pole to Arctic CirclePole to Arctic Circle•Southern Hemisphere: South Southern Hemisphere: South

Pole to Antarctic Circle Pole to Antarctic Circle –66 ½ degrees N to 90 degrees N66 ½ degrees N to 90 degrees N–66 ½ degrees S to 90 degrees S66 ½ degrees S to 90 degrees S

•Indirect sunlight; cold climateIndirect sunlight; cold climate

ELEVATIONELEVATION•Air temps decrease with Air temps decrease with

elevation!elevation!•For every 1,000 ft increase in For every 1,000 ft increase in

elevation, the temp drops by 3 ½ elevation, the temp drops by 3 ½ degrees. degrees.

•Example: Quito, EcuadorExample: Quito, Ecuador–Elevation of 9,000 ftElevation of 9,000 ft–25 degrees cooler than 25 degrees cooler than surrounding areassurrounding areas

Wind PatternsWind Patterns•Low latitudes: Easterly Trade Low latitudes: Easterly Trade

WindsWinds–Blow towards equator from 30 Blow towards equator from 30 degrees N and 30 degrees Sdegrees N and 30 degrees S

•Mid-Latitudes: WesterliesMid-Latitudes: Westerlies•High Latitudes: Polar easterliesHigh Latitudes: Polar easterlies•Equator: Windless area called Equator: Windless area called

the the doldrumsdoldrums

Ocean CurrentsOcean Currents•May be warm or coldMay be warm or cold•Either have a cooling effect Either have a cooling effect

OR a warming effect on the OR a warming effect on the land they passland they pass

•Example: Gulf Stream current Example: Gulf Stream current warms western Europewarms western Europe

Landforms/Water Landforms/Water BodiesBodies

•Orographic Effect: rain Orographic Effect: rain shadow on leeward side of shadow on leeward side of mountainsmountains

• Areas located by oceans Areas located by oceans have better regulated have better regulated temperatures than interior temperatures than interior areas because water is slower areas because water is slower to heat and cool than land is.to heat and cool than land is.