2 - Activity Factors Affecting Climate.ppt

Science Grade 9

1. Activity:
Factors Affecting Climate
Students will rotate to stations
around the room observing factors
affecting climate. They will predict
how each factor affects climate
based upon the picture or pictures
present.
Need to make two set-ups or have 3
students in a group

2. 1.What effect does latitude have on climate?
•Observe the pictures. One is from the equator and one is from the
North Pole.
•Compare the temperatures in the pictures and, based on your
knowledge of latitude, explain in detail why the temperatures at the
equator and the North Pole are different.
Equator
North Pole

3. 2. How do large bodies of water affect climate?
•Observe the pictures below. One is Peoria, Illinois, the other is
New York City, NY. Both have a latitude of approximately 40°N.
•Compare their average temperatures for summer and winter.
•Explain in detail how it is possible for New York to have cooler
summers and warmer winters than Peoria, even though they are at
the same latitude.
City Hall
Peoria, Illinois
Summer Average 82-87°F
Winter average 14-20°F
Skyline
New York, NY
Summer Average 79-84°F
Winter Average 38-43°F

4. 3. How do ocean currents affect the climate?
•Observe the pictures below. Both have approximately the same latitude.
•Analyze their monthly high and low temperatures.
•Using the Surface Ocean Currents Diagram on page 4 of your ESRT’s,
explain in detail why the coast of Virginia has an average high temperature of
68°F while San Francisco's average high temperature is only 65°F.
San Francisco, CA Coastline Norfolk, VA Coastline
LocationJanFebMarAprMay Jun JulAugSepOctNovDec
San Francisco,
CA
56/4359/4661/4764/4867/5070/5371/5472/5673/5570/5262/4856/43
Norfolk, VA
48/3250/3458/4067/4875/5883/6687/7185/7079/6569/5361/4452/36
Average High and Low Temperatures in °F

5. 4.How do prevailing winds affect climate?
•Observe the pictures below and the latitudes they were taken at.
•Use the Planetary Wind and Moisture Belts diagram on page 14 of
your ESRT’s, explain in detail why some areas are deserts, and some
are jungles.
The Amazon Rain Forest, Brazil
0°latitude
The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Approximately 30°N latitude

6. 5. How does elevation affect the climate?
•Observe the picture below. It is taken next to the equator, at latitude
of 0.029°N.
•How is it possible that there is snow so close to the equator?
This is a picture of Cayambe Volcano. It is part of the Andes Mountains in
Equador. At 4,950 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the
world crossed by the equator. It is also the only location on the equator that
is covered with snow all year long.

7. 6. How do mountains affect climate?
•Observe the photos below. They are pictures of the East and West
side of the Cascade Mountains.
•Compare the landscape of both locations.
•Explain in detail why the West side is lush with forest, while the East
side is dry with little vegetation.
Western Side (lush)
Eastern Side (dry)
Windward Side
View is looking
East toward the
Cascade Mountains
Leeward Side
View is looking East
from the top of the
Cascade Mountains