Unit Eight - Climate - Climate Variables Flashcards
What is Climate?
Long term atmospheric conditions
What are the 8 variables that affect climate?
- Latitude (Temperature)
- Planetary Winds
- Moisture
- Large Bodies of Water
- Ocean Currents
- Elevation
- Mountains
- Cloud Cover
WHY does Latitude affect Temperature & Climate?
The latitude determines the sun’s
- Angle of insolation
- Intensity
- Duration of sunlight
HOW does Latitude affect Temperature & Climate?
Low Latitudes: High Angles of Insolation (Hot)
High Latitudes: Low Angles of Insolation (Cold)
WHY and HOW do Prevailing Winds affect Climate? (3)
- Air mass (warm, cold, humid, dry)
- Affects temp. and humidity
- US has the southwesterly winds
HOW does Moisture Content affect Climate? (2)
- High moisture - Humid
- Low moisture - Arid
(Moisture content gets affected by latitudes, pressures and planetary winds)
HOW do Large Bodies of Water modify Climate?
- Water has a HIGH SPECIFIC HEAT
- Slowing rates of cooling and warming of the near land
HOW are Coastal Climates modified by Ocean Currents? (4/4)
- Water from the equator
- Is Warm
- Brought to colder regions
- Warming them up
- Water from the poles
- Is Cold
- Brought to warmer regions
- Cooling them up
HOW does Elevation affect Climate?
The HIGHER you go in the Troposphere, the COLDER it is.
HOW do Mountains affect Climate? (3)
- Mountains intersect with planetary winds
- Windward Side - Rising air forms clouds, creating a cool and moist region
- Leeward Side - Sinking air loses moisture, creating a warm and dry region
How does Cloud Cover affect Climate?
Daytime Cloud Cover
Clouds - No Insolation, heat radiated back into space
No Clouds - Insolation & Heat Energy warms Surface
Nighttime Cloud Cover
Clouds - Heat energy is trapped
No Clouds - Heat escapes and reradiates back into space
