Question

Explain the factors that influence weather and climate.

Answer 1

There are many factors that influence weather and climate. They are given below:

a. Latitude or the Distance from the Equator:

1. The vertical rays heat up the earth more than the inclined rays.
2. Thus the place near the equator where the sun’s rays fall vertically are warmer than the places which are far away from the equator.

b. Altitude:

1. Altitude refers to the height above sea level. Temperature decreases at the rate of 1 °C as we cross every 165 meters in height. This is called Normal Lapse Rate.
2. So places at a higher altitude have a lower temperature

c. Nearness to the sea:

1. The climate of a place varies according to its nearness to the sea.
2. Places near the coast experience equable climates due to the influence of the winds from the sea.
3. Places located in the land, far from the sea, do not experience the moderating influence of the sea, such places experience a continental type of climate.

d. Nature of the prevailing winds:

1. The winds change the climate of a place based on, where they blow.
2. When the wind blows from a warm region, it makes the place warm and cold, when blows from a colder region.
3. The on-shore winds cause rainfall making the place and where as the off-shore winds bring dry weather.

e. Mountain barriers:

1. The location of the mountains influences the climate of a place.
2. The mountain chains act as a natural barrier to the wind.
3. Sometimes they prevent the entry of cold winds into the country or the escape of monsoon winds.

f. Cloud cover:

1. Clouds reflect a large amount of radiation from the sun.
2. This prevents the entry of heat to the earth’s surface.
3. In areas generally of cloudless sky like the deserts, the temperature is very high.
4. On the other hand under a cloudy sky, the temperature is low.

g. Ocean Currents:

1. The warm ocean currents raise the temperature of the nearby coastal areas, while the cold current lowers the temperature of the place.

h. Natural vegetation:

1. The trees release water vapor into the air and make it cool.
2. Thus forest areas have a lower range of temperature throughout the year in contrast to non-forested areas.