Factors Affecting Climate

The short term conditions of the atmosphere at a specific place and time?

• climate

• weather

The average conditions of the atmosphere for an area over a long period of time is referred to as

• climate

• weather

What are four factors that affect climate?

• latitude

• proximity (closeness) to large body of water

• earthquakes

• ocean currents

• elevation

What are the major climate zones?

• tundra, desert, mediterranean

• grasslands, mountains, rainforest

• polar, temperate, tropical

Describe the climate for the polar zone.

• Very cold

• Very hot

• Different seasons (hot, cold, warm, cool)

Describe the climate for the tropical zone.

• Very cold

• Very hot

• Different seasons (hot, cold, warm, cool)

Describe the climate for the temperate zone.

• Very cold

• Very hot

• Different seasons (hot, cold, warm, cool)

Tropical, Polar or Temperate is based on

• Proximity to Large Body of Water

• Latitude

• Elevation

• Ocean Currents

Based on latitude, which city will have a cooler average temperature

• Chapel Hill

• Havana

Which BEST describes why latitudes closest to the equator have warmer climates?

• they are at lower elevations

• they receive high angle sunlight

• they are nearer to ocean currents

• they get more winds that carry energy in the form of heat