FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE

Question 1

LATITUDE

Answer 1

• Depends on: ANGLE OF OVERHEAD SUN, THICKNESS OF ATMOSPHERE
• If overhead sun is HIGH, then more HIGH INTENSTY INSULATION (equator)
• If atmosphere thin, then less atmosphere to pass through, so less energy loss over time (equator)

Question 2

PROXIMITY TO SEA

Answer 2

• In winter, water over sea is WARMER than over land, so onshore wind brings heated air to coastal areas

Question 3

OCEAN CURRENTS

Answer 3

• Warm currents raise temperatures in polar regions due to them originating over equitorial regions (warm current has air with moisture)
• Cold currents cause deserts as the cold current cools air above it, so less rate of evaporation, making dry conditions (cold current has air with no moisture)

Question 4

ALTITUDE

Answer 4

• When altitude INCREASES, air temperature DECREASES, as there is less pressure on the air

Question 5

WINDS

Answer 5

• Wind (in temperate areas) from LAND lower winter temperatures but raise summer temperatures (wind from land is hot and dry in summer)
• Wind from SEA do the inverse

Question 6

CLOUD COVER

Answer 6

• Decreases insolation by absorbing radiation
• They trap heat from the sun

Question 7

PRESSURE

Answer 7

• LOW pressure systems –> Air rises –> Causes rain due to condensation (WARM air forced over COLD) so decreased temperature
• HIGH pressure systems –> Hot air forced below cold –> INCREASED temperature causing deserts