5 Causes of Climate

In order of importance

1. LatitudeHow close a place is to the equatorusually, the

closer to the equator, the warmer it is.
2. ElevationHow high the land is above sea levelusually the
higher the elevation, the cooler it is.
3. Ocean/Wind CurrentsHot water and air rises, cool water
and air sinksthis creates currents that move heat around our
planet.
4. Closeness to large bodies of waterThis can increase
precipitation and affect the temperature depending where
the water is and how big it is.
5. TerrainMountains can change how much rain or sun you
get, the north side of a mountain usually has a different
climate than the south side.

The most important factor/cause of

climate type is latitude. Closer to
the equator =warmer
climate. Closer to the

Flip back and forth--can you see the cold

spot in the last slide and the red highelevation spot on this slide? Higher
elevation=colder temperatures

After the rain falls, the area

beyond the mountain only
gets dry air. The area north
of the Himalayas is a good
example or a rain shadow.

Flip back and

forth from the last
slide--see the
similarity? In this
case, mountains
cause more rain
because they lift
the warm air,
which cools and
makes the
moisture in the
air fall as rain.