INPUT 8

In the Philippines, one cannot grow an apple in his backyard.

Apples are winter fruits that mainly grow in other countries with
relatively cool climate and locations which are far away from the
equator. It may not be obvious that a cabbage grows in Baguio City
but not in Caloocan City because it needs plenty of water and a cold
rest period. They will not survive in very hot temperature because
they cannot tolerate the months of very hot weather. Apples and
cabbages, like other plants and animals, vary in their adaptations
to temperature, rainfall, and other environment conditions. In the
atmosphere, several environmental factors combine to produce
weather and climate. Weather is the day-to-day condition of Earth’s
atmosphere at a particular time and place. The climate on the other
hand, refers to the overall weather conditions over a long period of
time. Variation in climate is caused by the interplay of many
factors, including the amount of solar energy received from the sun
depending on the latitude, the transport of heat by winds and ocean
currents, distance from bodies of water, and the amount of
precipitation that results. The shape and elevation of landmasses
also contribute to global climate patterns.

Earth is a sphere that is tilted on its axis, solar radiation strikes

different parts of Earth’s surface at an angle that varies throughout
the year. At the equator, the sun is almost directly overhead at
noon all year. At the North and South poles, however, the sun is
much lower in the sky for months. Therefore, when the place is
closer to the equator, the air temperature is higher. This is because
the earth’s rounded surface (curvature) causes the sun’s energy to
be spread out over larger areas towards the poles.
Baguio City is considered the "Summer Capital of the Philippines”
due to its cool mountain weather because of its altitude. Hence, the
higher the altitude, the colder the temperature. Likewise,
mountains in Sierra Madre Mountain Range affect the weather
because they direct air currents. For example, the air is forced to
rise over mountains. Warm and moist air will cool as it rises, and
then the clouds release the water, causing precipitation like rain.
Therefore, one side of a mountain range - nearer the ocean - often
gets more rain on the so-called Windward side. While on the other
side of the mountain – the side farther from the ocean – often does
not get rain but dry air in the region called the Leeward side. Thus,
altitude and topography can affect climate.

 The ocean wind is blocked by the mountain, forcing it to move

upward.
 As the warm air moves up, the water vapor condenses and
forms clouds resulting in precipitation.
 The cold air mass starts to absorb heat and becomes warm
and dry resulting in less precipitation on the area.
 The leeward side of the mountain becomes dry and it is called
rain shadow wherein vegetation in this region includes desert
and grassland.