Climate Factors

Sea and land breezes over a large region that change direction with the seasons are called Monsoons.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The seasons are NOT a result of the changes in the distance between Earth and the sun. Earth is farthest away from the sun during the summer in the northern hemisphere.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

In the winter the monsoon reverses and the winds blow from the land to the ocean producing little rain.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Temperate zones are between the polar and tropical zones. In the summer the sun's rays strike the temperate zone more directly. In the winter the sun's rays strike at a lower angle.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

In December the north end of the Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun so the northern hemisphere receives less direct sun rays and the days are shorter than the nights.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

In the summer wind blows from the ocean to the land producing heavy rains from the warm and humid air mass.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Leeward side: after the air moved over the mountains, it lost most of its water vapor so the air mass is now cool and dry. Little precipitation falls here.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Tropical zone is the area near the equator that receives direct or nearly direct sunlight all year round making the climate warm.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Windward side: as rising air cools and the water vapor condenses forming clouds, rain or snow falls on the side the wind blows.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Polar zones are areas near the North and South Poles where the sun's rays always strike at a lower angle and as a result have a cold climate.

• Temperature

• Precipitation

• Seasons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6