Weather and Climate Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is latitude
The measure of distance north or south of the equator
What does latitude do?
As latitude increases temperature decreases due to the Earth’s shape.
What is the key factor for latitude?
Sun is more direct at the equator (warmer) and more spread out at the poles (colder)
What are ocean currents?
They are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater.
What does ocean currents do?
As ocean currents move warm and cold water round our planet. These waters either “warm” or “cool” the land they pass by.
What are ocean currents driven by?
Driven by gravity, wind and water density.
What are wind currents?
Air that is on the move.
What does wind currents tell us?
The source and direction of our winds and weather will determine the CLIMATE OF A LOCATION.
What should you know about wind currents?
Air coming from the water: wet
Air coming from the land: dry
Air coming from the North: cold
Air coming from the South: warm
Elevation is?
The measure of height above sea level.
What does elevation do?
As elevation increases temperature decreases due to less air density.
Key factor of elevation?
Thin air can’t hold on to heat as well.
What is relief?
It is a word to describe the shape of the land.
Flat = low relief
Mountain = high relief
What does relief do?
As relief increases mountains create a wet and dry climate on each side
What is near water?
Water bodies
What does near water do?
Being near water (maritime) leads to warmer average temperatures and higher precipitation. Away from water (continental) has drier and cooler temperatures
Describe weather:
Weather is the current atmospheric conditions. (rainy, sunny, windy, cold warm etc)
Describe climate:
Climate is the long term pattern of weather trends in a particular region (tropical, polar, seasonal norms)
What is the acronym for the weather and climate of Canada?
LOWERN
latitude
ocean currents
wind currents
elevation
relief
near water
