Climatic Controls - Concepts - Chapter 4 Class 9 Geography - Climate - Geography

Climatic Controls

Factors controlling the climate 

• The climate of any region is controlled by major six factors.
  • Latitude, 
  • Altitude, 
  • Pressure and wind system, 
  • Distance from the sea (continentality), 
  • Ocean currents 
  • Relief features
• The amount of solar energy received varies with latitude due to the curvature of the earth. 
• As a result, the temperature gradually decrease s from the equator to the poles.
• The atmosphere becomes less dense and the temperature decreases as one ascends from the earth's surface to higher altitudes. 
• As a result, the hills are cooler in the summer. 
• The pressure and wind systems of any location are determined by their latitude and altitude.
• As a result, it has an impact on the temperature and rainfall pattern. 
• The sea has a moderating effect on climate : as one's distance from the sea increases,  its moderating influence decrease, and people experience extreme weather conditions.
• This condition is known as continentality (i.e. very hot during summers and very cold during winters). 
• Ocean currents and onshore winds influence coastal climate . For example, any coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it will be warmed or cooled if the winds are onshore.
• Finally, relief plays an important role in determining a location's climate. 
• High mountains act as barriers to cold or hot winds; if they are high enough and in the path of rain-bearing winds, they may also cause precipitation. Mountains on the leeward side remain relatively dry.