Factors that Effect Climate

Climate Word Wall

  • WEATHER

    • Definition: The changing temperature and precipitation at a particular time and place.

  • CLIMATE

    • Definition: The average temperature and precipitation of an area of the Earth, creating unique seasons for that area.

  • LATITUDE

    • Definition: A distance between the Equator to the Poles.

  • HEAT CAPACITY

    • Definition: The amount of heat energy a type of matter can store.

  • PRECIPITATION

    • Definition: Any state of water that falls from the sky.

  • RAIN SHADOW

    • Definition: The side of a mountain range facing away from the ocean that receives very little precipitation.

  • WINDWARD

    • Definition: Side of a mountain range facing the ocean.

  • LEEWARD

    • Definition: Side of a mountain facing away from the ocean.

  • ELEVATION

    • Definition: The height above the ground at ocean level.

  • OCEAN CURRENT

    • Definition: The circular movements of the ocean water caused by heating of the ocean from the sun.

Difference Between Weather and Climate

  • Question: What is the difference between WEATHER and CLIMATE?

  • Answer: Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific place and time, while climate is the long-term average of temperature and precipitation in a region.

  • Example: In a tropical rainforest biome, the weather can change daily with rain occurring, while the climate remains consistently warm and humid throughout the year, characterized by high average temperatures and precipitation levels.

Effect of Latitude on Climate

  • Observation: As latitude increases, the average annual temperature decreases.

  • Activity:

    • Label a diagram with:

    • North Pole

    • South Pole

    • Equator

    • Latitude Lines.

    • Shade areas according to temperature:

    • HOT = red

    • COLD = blue

    • Circle areas on land that will have similar average temperatures all year long.

Effect of Closeness to an Ocean or Sea on Climate

  • Observation: Water moderates climate conditions.

    • Impact on seasons:

    • Cooler summers

    • Warmer winters

  • Result: Areas near oceans or seas exhibit similar seasons on average.

The Rain Shadow Effect

  • Impact on Climate:

    • Windward Side: Tends to be wet due to precipitation.

    • Leeward Side: Tends to be dry, forming a rain shadow effect.

  • Label Elements in a Diagram:

    • Desert

    • Dry

    • Leeward

    • Ocean

    • Tropical Forest

    • Wet

    • Wind

    • Windward

Effect of Elevation on Climate

  • Observation: As elevation increases, the average annual temperature decreases.

  • Activity: Shade temperatures from hotter to colder in a mountain diagram:

    • Hotter (Red) to Colder (Blue).

Effect of Ocean Currents on Climate

  • Observations:

    • Warm Currents: Contribute to a warmer climate.

    • Cold Currents: Result in a cooler climate.

  • Activity: Shade temperatures along continental shorelines from warmer (Red) to colder (Blue).

Climate Indicators by Biome

  • Tropical Rainforest: High precipitation and consistently warm temperatures.

  • Desert: Low precipitation and extreme temperature variations between day and night.

  • Example Comparison: Identify how precipitation levels and temperature ranges affect biomes.