Factors Affecting Climate

What factors can influence climate (long term weather) of an area?

• Moon and Sun's gravitational pull on the Earth

• mountains, winds, latitude, altitude, ocean currents, large bodies of water

• uneven heating of the Earth causing convection currents (warm is less dense so it rises and cool is more dense so it sinks)

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According to the picture and your experience, which area in Maryland gets more snow?

• Western Maryland (in the Appalachian mountains)

• Eastern Shore (near the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean)

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Which statement explains why the Eastern Shore will get less snow than Western Maryland?

• The Eastern Shore is by the Appalachian Mountains which keeps the area warmer. It also has a high latitude and is on the windward (wet side) of the Appalachian mountains.

• The Eastern Shore is by the Chesapeake Bay which keeps the area warmer. It also has a low latitude and is on the leeward (dry side) of the Appalachian mountains.

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Which warm ocean current is keeping the Eastern Shore of Maryland warmer and preventing high snowfall?

• Gulf Stream

• Canary Current

• California Current

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What factors impact climate in Maryland? Hint: There are multiple correct answers.

• latitude (we are over 37 degrees north of the equator which will impact the amount of sunlight we get during the seasons)

• mountains and altitude (Maryland has low altitude on the Eastern Shore where most areas are near sea-level while other areas in Maryland have mountains and high altitude- making it colder)

• large body of water like the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean and the warm ocean current called the Gulf Stream which keep the land near is warmer

• winds which can be local sea/land breezes due bodies of water or blocked/flowing depending on mountains, plateaus, plains

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