Climate What is Climate? average weather conditions over a period of many years.

Presentation on theme: "Climate What is Climate? average weather conditions over a period of many years."— Presentation transcript:

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2 Climate

3 What is Climate? average weather conditions over a period of many years

4 What are the four major factors that affect Climate?

5 1. Latitude Determines the amount of solar energy received and the types of winds.

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8 At the Equator, the Sun’s rays strike the Earth’s surface at an angle of about ________ degrees.

9 Why do certain places on Earth receive more solar energy than others?

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11 Wind Patterns

12 2. Elevation

13 3. Proximity to large bodies of water Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land WHY? Because water has a high SPECIFIC HEAT… Water moderates temperatures Coastal regions: warmer winters, cooler summers (than inland regions)

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16 4. Topography

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18 windward = wet and cool leeward = dry and warm

19 How would you describe the climate of Virginia?

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21 “Goldilocks Climate” “not too hot; not too cold” humid, sub-tropical