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Climate is affected by several natural factors. Explore each column to learn more, and don’t forget to add your own post with images, examples, or questions.

Competency: Describe factors that affect climate such as latitude, altitude, topography, bodies of water, ocean currents, and wind systems.

Let’s discover what shapes the climate of our planet! 🌦️

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📌LATITUDE: Distance north or south of the equator.

Regions near the equator (like the Philippines 🇵🇭) receive more direct sunlight, making them warmer all year round. Polar regions receive less sunlight, so they are colder.

Zone Latitude Range Description

Tropical Zone 🌴

0° to 23.5° N and S

- Also called the Torrid Zone
- Located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
- Receives direct sunlight year-round
- Hot and humid climate, includes rainforests and deserts

Temperate Zone 🍁

23.5° to 66.5° N and S

- Found between the tropics and the polar circles
- Experiences 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter)
- Moderate temperatures

Polar Zone ❄️

66.5° to 90° N and S

- Located within the Arctic Circle (North) and Antarctic Circle (South)
- Receives slanted sunlight
- Cold year-round, with long winters and short summers

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📌 ALTITUDE: Height above sea level.

Even though Baguio is in a tropical country, its high altitude makes the temperature lower compared to sea-level cities. The higher you go, the cooler it gets!

🏔️ Altitude of Baguio City:

Average elevation: 1,540 meters (5,050 feet) above sea level

Highest point (at some areas): Around 1,850 meters (6,070 feet)

🌤️ Why Altitude Matters in Baguio:

The high elevation gives Baguio its cool climate, earning it the title "Summer Capital of the Philippines."

Temperatures are generally 8–10°C cooler than in the lowlands

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📌OCEAN CURRENTS: Movement of ocean water that affects nearby climate

The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current in the Atlantic, keeps parts of Europe warmer than they would be otherwise. Ocean currents transport warm or cold water, influencing nearby land temperatures.

💨 What Causes Ocean Currents?

Wind patterns (like trade winds)

Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect)

Temperature & salinity differences (thermohaline circulation)

Gravity & tides

🌡️ Why Do Ocean Currents Matter?

Transport heat from the Equator to the poles

Influence weather patterns and climates

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📌 DISTANCE FROM BODIES OF WATER: How close or far a place is from oceans or seas.

Cities near oceans like Manila experience milder temperatures and more humidity. Inland cities like Tuguegarao often have more extreme temperatures.

How Distance from Water Affects Climate

1. Coastal Areas 🌴

Located near oceans or seas

Have a moderate climate (cooler summers, milder winters)

Water heats up and cools down slowly, so it regulates the air temperature

Example: Manila has a more stable climate due to its coastal location

2. Inland Areas 🌵

Located far from large bodies of water

Experience extreme temperatures (hotter summers, colder winters)

Land heats and cools quickly, leading to greater temperature variations

Example: Baguio City, though cooler due to elevation, shows more daily temperature shifts than coastal cities

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📌 TOPOGRAPHY: The physical features of the land, such as mountains and valleys, which influence local climate.

When moist air hits a mountain range, it rises, cools, and drops rain on the windward side. The leeward side gets much less rain—this is called the rain shadow effect. That’s why one side of a mountain can be lush and the other dry!

💧 How Does Topography Affect Climate?

Elevation: Higher places are cooler.

Slope orientation: South-facing slopes (in the Northern Hemisphere) get more sun.

Barriers: Mountains block wind and moisture.

🌦️ Why Does Topography Matter?

Affects rainfall distribution

Influences vegetation and agriculture

Creates local microclimates

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📌 PREVAILING WIND SYSTEMS: Regular wind patterns that distribute heat and moisture across the globe.

In the Philippines, monsoons are seasonal winds that bring heavy rains (Habagat) or dry spells (Amihan). Trade winds and westerlies are global wind belts that influence regional climate.

🌬️ What Drives Prevailing Winds?

Uneven heating of Earth

Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect)

Pressure differences between regions

🌍 Why Do Wind Systems Matter?

Distribute moisture and heat

Drive weather patterns

Affect climate zones (like deserts, rainforests)