Factors that influence temperature and rainfall

Question 1

Name the 5 factors that influence temperature and rainfall

Answer 1

• Distance from the equator (Latitude)
• Height above sea level (Altitude)
• Distance from the sea
• Ocean currents
• Mountains

Question 2

How does latitude effect the temperature of a place?

Answer 2

Temperatures are higher towards the equator and lower towards the poles. This is because the Sun’s rays strike the Earth at a more direct angle near the equator as apposed to near the poles. The Sun’s rays have to heat a much smaller area and so it is warmer, whereas nearer the poles the rays have to heat a wider area, so it is not as hot.

Question 3

How does latitude effect the rainfall of a place?

Answer 3

Air contains water vapour. For rain to fall, the water vapour needs to condense, or change back to liquids to form clouds. This happens when rising air cools. At certain latitudes, air rises; and at other latitudes, air sinks. There is more rain at latitudes where air rises than where air sinks.

Question 4

At which latitudes does air rise?

Answer 4

• On the West coasts of continents between 31° and 40° North and South in Winter.
• Near the equator

Question 5

At which latitude does air sink?

Answer 5

• Around 30° North and South.

- Near the poles