What are the factors associated with climate LACEMOPwhat does this acronym mean when talking about the factors of climate?

Answer 1

The initial portion of this section presents a basic depiction of the climatic regions. The section described conditions as they exist worldwide; yet very little on the factors behind the variation in temperature, and precipitation amounts. The following section on climatic controls give the student the considerations behind placing a region within a specific climatic classification. The memory device of LACEMOPS depicts all of the climatic controls.

L - Latitude

A - Air Masses

C - Continentality

E - Elevation

M - Mountain Barriers

O - Ocean Currents

P - Pressure Cells

S - Storms

Latitude - Determines the amount and intensity of sunlight received in a given area. The principle factor behind most climatic classifications.

Air Masses - Most directly experienced within North America. Movement of air masses result often in moderate to drastic temperature changes, precipitation, thunderstorms, and sometimes tornadic activity. Their source regions identify air masses.

CP Continental Polar (Dry and Cold)

MP Maritime Polar (Wet and Cold)

MT Maritime Tropical (Wet and Warm)

CT Continental Tropical (Dry and Warm)

(See figure 3 - Cyclonic Precipitation for depiction.)

If the air masses contrast greatly it can result in thunderstorms, and possible formation of tornadoes. All this activity is common in North America, where the tropics and arctic meet. Tornadoes are most commonly seen in the central portions of the United States. States with the most tornadic activity are; Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Usually tornadic formation requires the meeting of three dissimilar air masses, continental polar, maritime tropical, and continental tropical.

Continentality - The impact of a large landmass on climate and weather patterns. Usually results in more severe temperatures, depending on latitudinal position, and coastal or inland location. The best example of the impact of continentality is in Asia and the monsoonal patterns found there. A local example can be used for clarification. Houston's climate is moderated by wind off the Gulf of Mexico. A comparison can be made in conditions experienced when we have wind off the land or out of the gulf. Examples can be a Canadian cold front and summer winds from the gulf.

Elevation - Despite a latitudinal position along the equator, location at higher elevation can experience freezing temperatures and precipitation. (See figure 2 under Orographic Precipitation for depiction.) As air moves up on the windward side of the mountain it cools. As air cools it loses its ability to hold water. Eventually as the air continues to move upward it will reach dew point and release moisture. If the ascent continues the air temperature will reach freezing possibly releasing snow or ice. After reaching the peak, the air will descend, warming as it travels down. The air will as it warms increase its ability to hold water. This results in warm and dry conditions on the leeward side. The release of moisture as a result of rising air due mountain barriers or topographical features is called orographic precipitation.

Mountain Barriers- The title denotes the situation, the mountain serves as a barrier to moisture and cooler air. Air masses coming down a mountain on the leeward side will be dry and warm. This set of conditions is the phenomena behind a mid-latitude desert. A desert is created by a mountain blocking what would be normal temperature and precipitation patterns.

Ocean Currents- This climatic control refers to the impact of air off the water. Often this factor serves as a moderating force, as seen with marine west coast climates. (See page figure 4.16 on page 110 of your text for a map depicting world ocean currents.)

Pressure Cells - This climatic control refers to semi-permanent pressure cells.

Storms

Cyclone - The result of two dissimilar air masses meeting.

Hurricane - A cyclonic storm begins from five to twenty degrees from the equator as a tropical depression. If conditions are right, fed by warm, moist air, a hurricane will form with winds of at least 75 M.P.H. Hurricanes move in a counterclockwise direction. These storms are called a typhoon in the Pacific, and a cyclone in the Indian ocean. The strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. was Camille with winds of over 200 M.P.H. The most lives lost via a hurricane was the "Galveston Storm of 1900", it resulted in six thousand lives lost. Often it is not the strength of the storm that results in casualties, but poor construction, improper public warnings, and flooding. Hurricanes easily can produce tornadic activity. Tornadoes - Usually small in size, yet capable of reaching winds of over 500 M.P.H. Usually produced out of cyclonic storms, or thunderstorms.

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