factor in flclim

Elements of Climate: 

Elements of Climate Created by Eleanor Joyce City of Salem Schools Salem, VA

Factor Number 1: 

Factor Number 1 Elevation

Slide3: 

The higher the elevation, the colder the temperature. That’s why there are snow-capped mountains on the Equator. For every 1000 feet increase in altitude, the temperature is 3 ½ degrees colder.

Factor Number 2: 

Factor Number 2 Latitude Belts

Slide5: 

Equator Tropic of Cancer Tropic of Capricorn Antarctic Circle Arctic Circle Graphic created by EJoyce

Slide6: 

HIGH LOW HIGH MIDDLE MIDDLE 90 90 0 23 1/2 23 1/2 66 1/2 66 1/2 Graphic created by EJoyce

Slide7: 

Graphic created by EJoyce

Factor Number 3: 

Factor Number 3 Influence of Winds

Slide9: 

High mountains located near large bodies of water block the moisture that blows in from the ocean and create a rain shadow on the leeward side of the mountain.

Vocabulary: 

Vocabulary The windward side of the mountain is the side of the mountain that faces the ocean. When the winds blow the moisture in from the ocean, the windward side of the mountains gets the rain. As the air rises to go over the mountain, it cools and loses moisture before it gets over the mountain. The leeward side of the mountain is the side of the mountain that does not face the ocean. It is the arid side of the mountain. This side of the mountain lies in the rain shadow or an area that receives little rain.

Slide11: 

Windward side of the Mountain Leeward side of the Mountain Rain Shadow Graphic created by EJoyce

Slide12: 

Mountains Rain shadow Rain is blocked by the mountains Winds blow in from west to east and are blocked by the coastal mountains. The moisture never makes it across the mountains http://gis.binghamton.edu/GIS%20Sites.htm

Slide13: 

Wind Patterns: 

Wind Patterns http://www.mrdowling.com/612monsoons.gif

Factor Number 4: 

Factor Number 4 Proximity to Water

Slide16: 

Places located near large bodies of water have a relatively mild climate. Water does not heat up or cool down as quickly as the air temperature. The warmer breezes blowing off the water, create a mild climate.

Countries located close to large bodies of warm water have a milder climate. Notice the warm ocean current off the coast of northwest Europe.: 

Countries located close to large bodies of warm water have a milder climate. Notice the warm ocean current off the coast of northwest Europe. North Atlantic Drift

Slide18: 

Compare the climate of London England with a city in Canada at the same latitude belt. Which region has the mildest climate? Why?