Factors that Affect Climate - Social Studies Pd. 1

Questions and Answers

What are the 6 factors that affect climate?

Latitude, winds, ocean currents, proximity to water, elevation, and mountains.

How does latitude affect climate?

Places with latitudes closer to the Equator have hotter climates, while places closer to the Poles have colder climates.

How do winds affect climate?

Winds move the Sun's heat across Earth's surface.

How do ocean currents affect climate?

Warm and cool currents change temperatures where they meet land. Signup and view all the answers

How does proximity (nearness) to water affect climate?

The colder the water, the colder the climate. The hotter the water, the hotter the climate. Signup and view all the answers

How does elevation affect climate?

Higher elevation has colder temperatures. Signup and view all the answers

How do mountains affect climate?

The windward side of a mountain is wetter than the leeward side, which is drier. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Factors Affecting Climate

Six primary factors influence climate: latitude, winds, ocean currents, proximity to water, elevation, and mountains.

Latitude

Regions closer to the Equator experience hotter climates due to direct sunlight.
Areas near the Poles have colder climates due to the indirect angle of sunlight.

Winds

Winds play a crucial role in distributing the Sun's heat across the Earth’s surface.

Ocean Currents

Ocean currents significantly impact local temperatures; warm currents warm the land, while cool currents cool it.
Warm currents flow toward the poles and cool before returning to the Equator for re-warming.

Proximity to Water

The temperature of nearby water influences climate; colder waters lead to cooler climates, while warmer waters contribute to warmer climates.

Elevation

Higher elevations result in lower temperatures due to the decreasing atmospheric pressure.
An example is Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, which can have snow at its peak despite warm temperatures at its base.
Temperature decreases approximately 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 100 feet of elevation gain.

Mountains

The windward side of mountains is typically wetter due to moist winds rising and depositing precipitation.
The leeward side of mountains is drier because it is sheltered from the moist winds, leading to arid conditions.

Description

Explore the key factors that influence climate through this set of flashcards. Learn about latitude, winds, ocean currents, elevation, and more. Understand how these elements interact to shape the climate of different regions.