Factors Affecting BC’s Climate

Latitude

• At Northern latitudes the sun strikes the Earth at a lower angle

• The sun is less intense than areas that are closer to the equator.

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Altitude

• The higher you go up the colder it gets.

• Approx. 1 degree celsius for every 150 meters

• This creates the “snowline”(freezing level) that is often visible.

Distance from the Sea

• Water doesn’t heat or cool as fast as land.

• Therefore, the sea has a moderating effect.

• Areas closer to the sea generally aren’t as hot, nor as cold as those that are far away.

Wind Direction

• On shore winds – increase the moderating effect of water

• Off shore winds – decrease the effect of water.

Ocean Currents

Warm ocean currents will heat the air that blows over top of it. BC is affected by the Alaska current, which brings warm water up from the South.

Warm air can absorb lots of water.

Orographic Precipitation

• Warm air hits the the mountains and releases precipitation as it cools.

Frontal Precipitation

Convectional Precipitation