Factors Affecting Climate in Canada Discussion Questions PDF

Factors Affecting Climate in Canada - Discussion Questions In groups of 3 or 4, make sure that each person has one of the following open in full screen on their Chromebook: 1. The note “Factors Affecting Climate 4. Summer average temperatures 2. This question sheet...

Factors Affecting Climate in Canada - Discussion Questions In groups of 3 or 4, make sure that each person has one of the following open in full screen on their Chromebook: 1. The note “Factors Affecting Climate 4. Summer average temperatures 2. This question sheet 5. Winter average temperatures 3. Annual precipitation totals What? These geographic terms all have definitions… Climate vs weather Jet stream Climate normal Polar front Precipitation Relief Continental vs maritime Windward vs leeward Climate graph Alaskan/Labrador Current and Lake effect snow Gulf Stream Air mass (cmPT) Average temperature Westerlies Annual precipitation …is where? The following geographic concepts are attached to either a relative or absolute location. Practice “locating” these concepts for Canada…or globally if it applies? Continental vs maritime Polar front Lake effect snow Relief Air mass (cmPT) Windward vs leeward Westerlies Alaskan/Labrador Current and Jet stream Gulf Stream Why there? The factors that affect our climate are part of larger global systems. Consider the maps of Canada provided which highlight winter/summer average temperatures and annual precipitation. What factors account for variations in temperatures and precipitation totals across the country? Make clear links to the factors. Sometimes, there are several factors that work together! Practice using the correct terms and labels…AND place names! FACTORS THAT AFFECT CLIMATE IN CANADA Exemplar: Average temperatures in Canada decline further north because of latitude. Canada is already quite far north in the northern hemisphere and covers many degrees of latitude from the US border to the Arctic. The sun's rays are more concentrated further south and days are longer which is why it is warmer in the south and much colder in the north. List of FACTORS: Latitude Proximity to oceans and large water bodies Prevailing winds and air masses Jet stream Relief Elevation Ocean currents Here are some hints!! Try to explain the following variations: Annual precipitation Average Seasonal Temperature Wettest region along the BC Winter coast ○ Higher average temperatures on wet/dry/wet pattern of Pacific and Atlantic coasts precipitation in BC ○ Pacific coast is warmer than the Driest condition in the Arctic Atlantic and Prairies ○ Pacific average is above 0C Wet conditions in Atlantic Summer Canada ○ Warmest regions: Pockets of wet regions in BC interior southern Ontario Prairies Southeastern The southern dipping “trough” of cold temperatures into MB, ON, QC