1.31.3

Land of ContrastsLand of ContrastsThe Climate of TexasThe Climate of Texas

1.3

Absolute Location Affects Absolute Location Affects ClimateClimate

page 38page 38►Texas lies between the Texas lies between the middle latitudesmiddle latitudes – – region about midway between the region about midway between the equator and the North Pole.equator and the North Pole.

►Texas has mild winters because it is not Texas has mild winters because it is not very far from the equator.very far from the equator.

►The middle latitudes are a meeting place The middle latitudes are a meeting place of cool air moving from the north and of cool air moving from the north and warm moist air moving from the Gulf of warm moist air moving from the Gulf of Mexico.Mexico.

►Violent storms sometimes result from the Violent storms sometimes result from the mixing of the cold and warm air. mixing of the cold and warm air.

1.3

Relative Location also Affects Relative Location also Affects ClimateClimate

►The relative location of Texas to the Gulf The relative location of Texas to the Gulf of Mexico has a major influence on the of Mexico has a major influence on the climate.climate.

►The wind that blows from the ocean cools The wind that blows from the ocean cools the land in the summer and warms it in the land in the summer and warms it in winter. winter.

►Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is the Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is the source of most rain that falls on the state. source of most rain that falls on the state.

►The relative location of Texas near the The relative location of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico also brings large Gulf of Mexico also brings large destructive storms. (hurricanes)destructive storms. (hurricanes)

1.3

1.3

Elevation and Climate Elevation and Climate PatternsPatterns

►Temperature cools as the elevation rises Temperature cools as the elevation rises and warms as elevation decreases. and warms as elevation decreases.

►Elevation also affects rainfall because Elevation also affects rainfall because warm air holds more moisture than cool warm air holds more moisture than cool air. air.

►Mountains receive more rainfall than flat Mountains receive more rainfall than flat land.land.

►As moisture-filled air moves up a As moisture-filled air moves up a mountain it is quickly cooled. As the air mountain it is quickly cooled. As the air cools it is less able to hold moisture and cools it is less able to hold moisture and falls as rain. falls as rain.