Ch. 40.1 Factors that Affect Climate

Climate

the long term prevailing weather of a location

What are abiotic factors of climate?

Temperature, precipitation, sunlight, and wind

What do the physical components of climate influence?

Distribution and organism abundance

Global climate patterns determines largely by?

Solar energy and the planet’s rotation in space

What is the sun’s warming effect?

Temperature variations, which drive evaporation and the circulation of air and water. Also causes latitudinal variations in climate

What is latitudinal variation in sunlight intensity caused by?

The curved shape of Earth

Why do higher latitudes have light that is more spread out?

The sunlight strikes Earth at a great angle

Where does sunlight strike the Earth most directly?

The tropics

What initiates global air circulation and latitude precipitation patterns?

Intense solar radiation near the equator

What creates precipitation in the tropics?

Warm, wet air rising near the equator

What causes desert conditions?

Dry air descending at 30 degrees north and south latitudes

What absorbs moisture?

Descending dry air

What releases moisture?

Ascending moist air

What contributes to regional effects of climate?

Proximity to bodies of water, topographic features (mountains), seasonal variations (tilt of sun)

What does the angle of the sun lead to?

Many seasonal changes in local environments

What are lakes sensitive to?

Seasonal temperature change

What do lakes experience when undergoing seasonal temperature change?

Seasonal turnover

What does air flowing close to Earth’s surface create?

Predictable global wind patterns

What do ocean currents (warm and cold) affect?

Nearby terrestrial environments

Gulf Stream?

Carries warm water from the equator to the East Coast North Atlantic

California Current?

Brings cold water from the North

Sea breeze

During the day, air rises over warm land and draws a cool breeze from the water across the land

What do mountains significantly affect?

Amount of sunlight reaching an area, local temperature, and rainfall

What does rising air release?

Moisture on the windward side of a leak. It creates a dry area called “rain show” as it absorbs moisture on the leeward side