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?
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How does proximity (nearness) to water affect climate?
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How does elevation affect climate?
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How do mountains affect climate?
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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.
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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.