Topographic barriers such as mountains and hills force
prevailing winds up and over their slopes
. As air rises, it also cools. Cooler air is capable of holding less water vapor than warmer air. As air cools, this water vapor is forced to condense, depositing rain or snow on windward slopes.
How does terrain affect climate?
The topography of
an area can influence the weather and climate
. Topography is the relief of an area. If an area is close to a body of water it tends to make milder climates. Mountainous areas tend to have more extreme weather because it acts as a barrier to air movements and moisture.
How does the presence of hills and mountains affect the climate?
Mountains can have a
significant effect on rainfall
. When air reaches the mountains, it is forced to rise over this barrier. As the air moves up the windward side of a mountain, it cools, and the volume decreases. As a result, humidity increases and orographic clouds and precipitation can develop.
How does orographic effect affect climate?
The primary factor affecting storm depth, intensity, and local climate is topography. Desert mountains influence rainfall by orographic effects (rapid cooling of rising air masses) which results in
increasing rainfall with increasing elevation
.
How do mountains greatly affect the climate?
Mountains can have a significant
effect on rainfall
. When air reaches the mountains, it is forced to rise over this barrier. As the air moves up the windward side of a mountain, it cools, and the volume decreases. As a result, humidity increases and orographic clouds and precipitation can develop.
How can a large body of water affect climate?
Large bodies of water, such as oceans, seas and large lakes, can affect the climate of an area.
Water heats and cools more slowly than landmasses
. Therefore, the coastal regions will stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter, thus creating a more moderate climate with a narrower temperature range.
How does topography affect human life?
Geography doesn’t just determine whether humans can live in a certain area or not, it also
determines people’s lifestyles
, as they adapt to the available food and climate patterns. As humans have migrated across the planet, they have had to adapt to all the changing conditions they were exposed to.
Does topography affect climate?
More specifically speaking,
topography aids in changing precipitation and temperature
. A general rule of thumb in understanding weather is warm air rises and cold air sinks. When topography comes into play, weather scenarios deviate from that rule.
What is the most important factor in climate?
The two most important factors in the climate of an area are
temperature and precipitation
. The yearly average temperature of the area is obviously important, but the yearly range in temperature is also important.
What is the effect of elevation on climate?
As you increase in elevation,
there is less air above you thus the pressure decreases
. As the pressure decreases, air molecules spread out further (i.e. air expands), and the temperature decreases. If the humidity is at 100 percent (because it’s snowing), the temperature decreases more slowly with height.”
Does Latitude Affect climate?
1. Latitude or distance from the equator –
Temperatures drop the further an area is from the
equator due to the curvature of the earth. As a result, more energy is lost and temperatures are cooler. …
Climate change impacts the water cycle by
influencing when, where, and how much precipitation falls
. … Increasing global temperatures causes water to evaporate in larger amounts, which will lead to higher levels of atmospheric water vapor and more frequent, heavy, and intense rains in the coming years.
How do large cities affect climate?
Cities are major contributors to climate change. According to UN Habitat,
cities consume 78 per cent of the world’s energy and produce more than 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions
. … The sheer density of people relying on fossil fuels makes urban populations highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
What is the best practice to reduce the effect of climate change?
Limiting the use of fossil fuels such as oil, carbon and natural gas
and replacing them with renewable and cleaner sources of energy, all while increasing energy efficiency.
What is the impact of topography?
The effects of topography on the climate of any given region are
powerful
. Mountain ranges create barriers that alter wind and precipitation patterns. Topographical features such as narrow canyons channel and amplify winds. Mountains and plateaus are exposed to the cooler temperatures of higher altitudes.
