What Factors Control Your Local Climate?
ES2101  Climate Control Factors

The climate of any particular place is influenced by a host of interacting factors. These include latitude, elevation, nearby water, ocean currents, topography, vegetation, and prevailing winds. The global climate system and any changes that occur within it also influence local climate. Consider how each factor illustrated by the thumbnail images might control climate at your location.

NASA

LATITUDE
Surface temperatures vary with latitude.
NOAA

ELEVATION
Climate zones coincide roughly with elevation ranges.
NASA

NEARBY WATER
Sea surface temperatures affect land temperatures.
NASA

OCEAN CURRENTS
Water temperatures indicate transfer of heat energy by currents.
Ray Sterner, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

TOPOGRAPHY
Local variations in elevation can cause local variations in climate.
Martos Hoffman

VEGETATION
Type of ground cover and seasonal changes affect climate.
San Fransisco
State University—
Meteorology

PREVAILING WINDS
Winds deliver air masses with specific properties.
 
 
  


	

 	

		
			
	

	
	

		 
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