Key factors affecting climate

What is meant by aspect?

Direction a place/slope faces

Aspect - northern hemisphere facing south example

Faces the sun so warmer with direct sunlight meaning temperatures are higher than north facing locations

What is meant by latitude?

Distance north or south of the equator - measured in degrees

Latitude example

The further away from the equator the colder it gets because the suns energy gets spread over a wider area

What is meant by altitude?

The height of land above sea level

Altitude example

The higher the land the cooler the place becomes meaning air temperatures reduce and become thinner and absorbs less solar energy

What is an air mass?

A large body of air with uniform temperature and humidity

Air masses example

Places are affected by direction air is travelling from (air mass) and the air brings characteristics of its place of origin

What is meant by continentality?

How climate is affected by its distance from a large body of water - eg ocean

Continentality example

The further away a place is from the ocean the less affected it is by it - land heats up and cools down quickly and the sea can cool down land a little in the summer and warm it up a bit in the winter

What are ocean currents?

The continuous movement of sea water by gravity, wind and water density

Ocean currents example

Ocean transport water all over the planet and its flow cools or heats up locations as they flow past - eg UK is a little warmer due to Gulf Stream