Factors that affect Climate

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Factors that affect Climate

Microclimate

Small area with a specific climate.

Temperature

Altitude

Distance from large bodies of water

Water cools slower than land, so areas near water do not have temperature extremes.

Altitude is the elevation above sea level. Areas with a higher altitude will have lower temperatures than areas close to sea level.

Latitude

Locations closet to the equator tend to be warmer than the ones north or south. This is because the sun rays hit the surface directly at the equator. Earth is divided into 3 main temperature zones based on latitude. The equator at 0 latitude, is placed in the middle of the tropical zone, which stretches from 23.5N to 23.5S. The temperature in this area stays warm year-round because of continuous direct, near direct and rays from the sun.

Ocean currents

Marine climates, ones near large bodies of water, are influenced by ocean currents. Ocean currents carry warm, tropical water to the poles. The cold currents bring cold water from the polar zones, back to the tropical zone. As the current moves the water, they warm or cool the location

Precipitation

Mountain ranges

When humid air blows in from the ocean, the prevailing wind must rise to pass over the mountain. This forms clouds. Rain or snow fall on the windward side of the mountain.

Prevailing winds

A prevailing wind is a wind that blows consistently in a given direction over a particular region of the earth.

Seasons

Seasons affect the climate of places. Seasons are caused by the tilt of the earth. It is tilted 23.5 degrees on its axis. The tilt causes the sun rays to hit the earth at different angles as it revolves around the sun.