Climate

Latitude is how far north or south a location is from the equator. Latitude affects the locations climate.

latitude, altitude, nearby water, ocean currents, prevailing winds

This image shows the latitude lines of the Earth. Latitude is how far north or south a location is from the equator.

This image shows altitude. Altitude is a measurement of height above sea level.

warm

cold

Prevailing winds are winds that blow more often from one direction than another. They influence climate by moving air masses around the globe.

The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current flowing from the Gulf of Mexico northward through the Atlantic Ocean.

Climate is the weather conditions of an area over a long period of time. Climate is influenced by latitude, altitude, ocean currents, and prevailing winds.

Cold ocean currents move away from the north and south poles towards the equator.

It makes it colder than it would normally be.

Altitude is a measurement of height above sea level.

This image shows the ocean currents. Warm water from the equator moves in currents to the poles. Cold water moves towards the equator.

Weather is the current conditions at a certain time and place.

Climate deals with a long period of time. Weather is the current conditions at a certain place and time.

Warm ocean currents move towards the north and south pole.

This image shows the prevailing winds. Prevailing winds are winds that blow more often from one direction than another.

Due to Earth's tile, the sunlight from the sun hits the equator directly and provides more warmth. The poles receive indirect light and less warmth.

It makes it warmer than it would normally be.

The Gulf Stream takes warm ocean water to Western Europe and makes the climate warmer than it would otherwise be.