Elements which affect climate

If winds have been blown from cold areas, they will lower temperatures. In the UK, winds originating from the south tend to be warm, whereas those from the north bring cold air. Air masses have a significant influence on the climate of the UK. Air masses affecting the UK — source: Met Office.

Distance from the sea continentality. Land heats and cools faster than the sea. Therefore coastal areas have a lower temperature range than those areas inland. On the coast winters are mild, and summers are cool. In inland areas, temperatures are high in the summer and cold in the winter. Despite London and Moscow are on similar lines of latitude, London experiences much milder winters and cooler summers than Moscow as it is located closer to the sea.

Slopes facing the sun are warmer than those that are not. Therefore, south-facing slopes in the northern hemisphere are usually warm. However, slopes facing north in the southern hemisphere are warmest. If you've found the resources on this page useful please consider making a secure donation via PayPal to support the development of the site. In contrast, daylength varies little at the equator.

The warmer water pumps energy and moisture into the atmosphere, altering global wind and rainfall patterns. The phenomenon has caused tornadoes in Florida, smog in Indonesia, and forest fires in Brazil. The factors above affect the climate naturally. However, we cannot forget the influence of humans on our climate. Early on in human history our effect on the climate would have been quite small. However, as populations increased and trees were cut down in large numbers, so our influence on the climate increased.

Trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. A reduction in trees will therefore have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Industrial Revolution, starting at the end of the 19th Century, has had a huge effect on climate. The invention of the motor engine and the increased burning of fossil fuels have increased the amount of carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas - more on that later in the atmosphere.

The number of trees being cut down has also increased, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide that is taken up by forests.

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Press ESC to cancel. Skip to content Home Assignment What is the most important element of climate? Ben Davis March 5, What is the most important element of climate? What are the six elements of climate? What are the two most important elements of climate? What are the 7 factors that affect weather? What are the 4 factors that affect weather?