Climate Factors and Calculations

Study Notes

Average Annual Temperature

Calculated by adding the 12 average monthly temperatures and dividing by 12.
Indicates a location's overall climate: warmer (e.g., Toronto) or colder (e.g., Yellowknife).
Helps explain climate factors:
- Latitude
- Ocean currents
- Winds/air masses
- Elevation

Temperature Range

Calculated by subtracting the minimum temperature from the maximum temperature.
Pay attention to negative numbers: 25°C - (-25°C) = 50°C.
Temperature range greater than 25°C signifies a continental climate.
Temperature range less than 25°C signifies a maritime climate.
Explains the climate factor of proximity to water:
- Small temperature range (less than 25°C) indicates proximity to water.
- Large temperature range (25°C or more) indicates distance from water.

Total Annual Precipitation

Calculated by adding up monthly precipitation totals.
Less than 1000mm suggests a continental climate.
More than 1000mm suggests a maritime climate.
Helps explain climate factors:
- Relief
- Winds/air masses

Season of Maximum Precipitation

Determined by adding up precipitation totals for specific months:
- Winter: October, November, December, January, February, March.
- Summer: April, May, June, July, August, September.
The season with the highest precipitation total indicates the dominant precipitation pattern.
Continental climates typically have a summer maximum.
Maritime climates typically have a winter maximum.
Helps distinguish continental and maritime climates.

Average Annual Temperature

Calculated by adding the 12 average monthly temperatures and dividing by 12.
Indicates whether a location has a warmer climate (e.g., Toronto) or colder climate (e.g., Yellowknife).
Helps explain climate factors like Latitude, Ocean Currents, Winds/Air Masses, and Elevation.

Temperature Range

Calculated by subtracting the minimum (coldest) temperature from the maximum (warmest) temperature.
Important to consider negative numbers when calculating the temperature range: 25°C - (-25°C) = 50°C.
Temperature ranges greater than 25°C indicate a continental climate.
Temperature ranges less than 25°C indicate a maritime climate.
Helps explain the climate factor of proximity to water.
A small temperature range (less than 25°C) suggests proximity to water.
A large temperature range (25°C or greater) suggests distance from water.

Total Annual Precipitation

Calculated by adding monthly precipitation totals.
Less than 1000mm of precipitation indicates a continental climate.
More than 1000mm of precipitation indicates a maritime climate.
Helps explain the climate factors of Relief and Winds/Air Masses.

Season of Maximum Precipitation

Determines the season with the highest precipitation.
To determine the winter season, add the precipitation totals for October, November, December, January, February, and March.
To determine the summer season, add the precipitation totals for April, May, June, July, August, and September.
Continental climates receive more precipitation in the summer months, indicating a summer maximum.
Maritime climates receive more precipitation in the winter months, indicating a winter maximum.
Helps to distinguish between continental and maritime climates.

Description

This quiz covers key concepts in understanding climate, specifically how average annual temperature, temperature range, and total annual precipitation indicate different climate types. Participants will learn how these measurements interact with geographical factors like latitude, ocean currents, and proximity to water. Test your knowledge on climate classification based on these critical environmental indicators!