The amount of solar energy per unit of Earth

1
What affects climate? LATITUDE 1/2

• The amount of solar energy per unit of Earths
  surface area depends on latitude.
• Earths curved surface causes latitudes closer to
  the equator to receive more direct sunlight than
  latitudes farther north or south.

2
What affects climate?
What affects climate? LATITUDE 2/2

• Latitudes near the poles receive less solar
  energy and have lower average temperatures.
• Latitudes near the equator tend to have warmer
  climates than higher latitudes.

3
What affects climate?
What affects climate? RAIN SHADOW

• Mountains influence climate because they are
  barriers to prevailing winds.
• An area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of
  a mountain is called a rain shadow.

4
What affects climate?
What affects climate? ALTITUDE

• Climate is influenced by altitude.
• Temperature decreases as altitude increases in
  the troposphere.

5
What affects climate? WATER 1/2

• Because land heats and cools more quickly than
  water, climates along coastlines to remain
  somewhat constant.
• Prevailing winds extend the moderate temperatures
  farther inland.

6
What affects climate? WATER 1/2

• Ocean currents modify climate.
• The Gulf Stream is a warm, northward current
  along the east coast of North America.
• The Gulf Stream brings warmer temperatures to
  portions of the United States and Europe.

7
What affects climate? MICROCLIMATE

• A microclimate is a localized climate that is
  different from the climate of the larger area
  surrounding it.
• Cities are often warmer than the surrounding
  area.
• A citys roads and buildings absorb solar
  radiation