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Definition (Parameters) of The Climate
The Criterion For Climate
The climate of a place as regards temperature depends upon:
Latitude.--The general law is that the amount of heat is greatest at the equator, and diminishes toward the poles.
There are three reasons for this:
1. The sun's' rays fall perpendicularly upon the earth at the equator, and more and more obliquely as we go toward the poles.
2. The area covered by a given amount of heating power from the sun is smaller at the equator.
3. Where the sun's rays fall perpendicularly they pass through a less amount of atmosphere, and the absorption of heat is less.
Attitude.--The decrease in temperature is about three deg. F. for every 1,000 feet of elevation. As the air receives most of its heat by radiation and reflection from the earth, and as the higher we go the less dense the air, the less heat is absorbed either from the earth or from the direct rays of the sun.
Prevailing Winds.--Winds blowing from the tropical regions carry the heat with them, and conversely, winds from the polar regions lower the temperature. Whichever wind prevails throughout the year in a given place will consequently modify the temperature of that place.
Length of Day.-- During the day the earth receives from the sun more heat than it radiates into space; while during the night it radiates more than it receives. Hence a succession of long days and short nights results in an accumulation of heat, raising the average temperature and producing summer; while long nights and short days result in a temperature below the average, producing winter. The heating power of the sun is greater in summer, because at that season it is shining more directly upon that part of the earth, and conversely in winter. In the tropical regions the inequality of day and night is very little, but increases toward the poles. The temperature in the tropics is therefore more uniform. The length of day makes up for the lessened intensity of the sun's rays; hence a place in high latitude may have at times higher temperature than a place within the tropics.
Ocean Current.--The warm waters of the tropical regions being brought toward the polar regions bring the heat with them, radiating it into space,and it is absorbed by the atmosphere.
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Mountain Ranges.--A mountain range will make a country near it warmer or colder, according as it shields it from a cold or warm wind.
The Distribution of Land and Water.--Land heats or cools rapidly, absorbing or emitting but little heat. Water heats or cools slowly, absorbing or remitting large quantities of heat. Hence the land is subject to great and sudden changes of temperature; the water to small and gradual changes. Places situated near the sea have, therefore, a more equable (steady, even) climate.
Character of Soil.-- Dry, sandy soil heats and cools more rapidly than wet and marshy lands; hence the latter will have a more uniform temperature.
Slope of Land.-- Land which slopes so that the sun's rays will strike it nearer vertically will receive more heat.The south side of a hill is warmer in winter than the north side.
In regard to winds the climate of a place depends upon:
Temperature.--Its winds are but masses of air set in motion by the unequal heating, the winds of any given place depend primarily upon the temperature, though not necessarily upon the temperature of that place. As the air is heated in the tropical parts of the earth by the sun, it rises, and colder air flows in from the polar regions to take its place; hence the primary currents, which are modified in various ways by other causes.
Rotation of the Earth.--The winds are turned out of their course by the rotation of the earth in the same manner as the ocean currents.
Land and Water.--The land becomes warmer during the day than the sea, and, the air rising, a cooler air flows in from the sea. At night the land parts with its heat more rapidly than the water and becomes cooler; then the wind sets the other way. Hence we have the land and sea breezes.
Elevation of the Land.--Mountains, as has already been stated, shelter places from winds. Some of the great plains are subject to almost constant winds.
In regard to moisture, the climate of a place depends upon:
Prevailing Wind.-- If a wind blows from large bodies of water in a warm region it will be laden with moisture which will be likely to be precipitated on reaching a colder country.
Mountains.--The contact of a moisture-laden wind with the cold sides of mountains will cause a precipitation of its moisture, and the regions' beyond the mountains will not receive it.
Forests. -- By shading the earth, keep its surface cool, and this tends to condense the moisture.
Cultivation of the Soil. -- Causing it to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and by capillary attraction in dry weather bring up moisture from below to the surface.
Temperature.-- Increased heat causes greater evaporation, and hence more moisture in the atmosphere. More rain falls within the tropics than in the temperate or polar regions.
Land and Water.-- More rain falls on the coasts of a country than in the interior because the winds are more moist. More rain falls in the northern hemisphere than in the southern because there is a greater diversity of land and water, the evaporation coming mainly from the ocean, and the condensation from the diversified land surface.
Isothermal Lines. -- Are lines connecting places that have the same mean temperature.
There is a line or limit of elevation, above which the surface is covered with perpetual snow; this is called the snow-line.
Source: Johnson's American Cyclopedia and Atlas of The World, "Physical Georaphy-Climate" Pg. 63.
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