Climate

What is climate?
Climate is the long-term (many years) pattern of weather in a particular area.

The two most important characteristics of climate are temperature and precipitation

World climate is broken into three main regions: Tropical, temperate, and polar

Tropical climates are near the equator and are warm and usually humid.

Temperate climates are found north and south of the tropics and are cooler and have more seasons.

Polar climate are around the north and south poles and are cold year-round.

Climate Factors

• Latitude - how far north or south of the equator
• Elevation - how far above or below sea level
• Topography - how flat or mountainous an area is
• Water bodies - how many large bodies of water are nearby
• Wind or air masses - movement of warm or cold air around the Earth

What is Michigan's climate?
We have a temperate, continental humid climate.
Four seasons, hot summers, cold winters, plenty of precipitation.