Factors affecting weather

latitiude, relief, aspect, and distance from sea

latitiude

places closer to the Equator are usually warmer, and places nearer to the North Pole and South Pole are colder.

• sun passes through more atmosphere at high latitudes, so loses more energy before it reaches the ground

• sun is spread over a wider area at high latitudes, so its energy is spread more thinly over a wider area

• locations at higher latitudes have more seasonal changes in weather

relief

places located on flat low-lying land are warmer and places higher up, ie mountains, are colder and wetter.

• air is thinner at higher altitude so it can hold less moisture

• in the UK, prevailing winds from the southwest and west bring relief rainfall to higher western areas, and drier weather to lower eastern areas

aspect

in the northern hemisphere, places which are south-facing are warmer and places which are north-facing are colder.

• south-facing slopes receive more sunlight

• north-facing slopes are more exposed to cold northerly winds

distance from sea

places nearer to the sea are mild and wet, and places further from the sea are drier, but temperatures are more extreme.

• water takes longer to heat up, keeping areas near the sea cooler in summer

• water takes longer to cool down, keeping areas near the sea milder in winter