4.8 Earth's Geography and Climate

Large bodies of Water Stabilize Local Temperatures

• When solar radiation hits land, land has low specific heat capacity and no mobility

  • Leads to quicker temperature increase

• When solar radiation hits water, water has a high specific heat capacity and high mobility

  • Slower temperature increase

Ocean Currents and Land Temperatures

• Canada & England (Same latitude)

  • Canada is cooler due to ocean currents that run along the North Atlantic ocean

  • North Atlantic Current carries warm air to England

  • Polar Current from Arctic circle makes Canada cooler than usual

Rainshadow Effect

Ocean —> Windward side (Mountain) —> Leeward Side

• Windward side: Side of mountain towards the ocean

• Leeward side: Side of mountain on the opposite side of the ocean

• Winds as they go from the ocean to the windward side of the mountain are sent up the mountain said

  • Very moist wind from ocean, and slide up the mountain and form clouds and it rains

• As it passes the top of the mountain, it warms up as hot and dry air over the leeward side of the mountain

  • Arid (desert) area on the leeward side of the mountain

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