Download Climate notes for foldable - ReadingtonScience

What affects climate?
LATITUDE 1/2
• The amount of solar energy per unit
of Earth’s surface area depends on latitude.
• Earth’s curved surface causes latitudes closer
to the equator to receive more direct sunlight
than latitudes farther north or south.
What affects climate?
LATITUDE 2/2
• Latitudes near the poles receive less solar
energy and have lower average temperatures.
• Latitudes near the equator tend to have
warmer climates than higher latitudes.
What affects climate?
RAIN SHADOW
• Mountains influence climate because they are
barriers to prevailing winds.
• An area of low rainfall on the downwind slope
of a mountain is called a rain shadow.
What affects climate?
ALTITUDE
• Climate is influenced by altitude.
• Temperature decreases as altitude
increases in the troposphere.
What affects climate?
WATER 1/2
• Because land heats and cools more quickly
than water, climates along coastlines to
remain somewhat constant.
• Prevailing winds extend the moderate
temperatures farther inland.
What affects climate?
WATER 1/2
• Ocean currents modify climate.
• The Gulf Stream is a warm, northward current
along the east coast of North America.
• The Gulf Stream brings warmer temperatures to
portions of the United States and Europe.
What affects climate?
MICROCLIMATE
• A microclimate is a localized climate
that is different from the climate of the
larger area surrounding it.
• Cities are often
warmer
than the
surrounding
area.
• A city’s roads and buildings absorb solar
radiation
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