The climate of a region is a set of meteorological variables that act to form a specific environmental condition. There are many climate factors that act at the same time to be able to grant these characteristics to an area. The variables that act are not only found at the level of the atmosphere but also affect all levels of height from the earth's surface. Keep in mind that the troposphere is the layer of the atmosphere that makes up the world's climate. Above this troposphere there are no significant differences between zones.
In this article we will analyze the characteristics and different factors of climate.
Importance of climate factors
Many people confuse meteorology and climatology. When we talk about meteorology, we're referring to what's known as the weather. That is, whether it's going to rain today or tomorrow, be sunny, have strong winds, high temperatures, etc. set of meteorological phenomena that can occur at any time is what is called meteorology. On the other hand, if we continuously record all these meteorological phenomena and the values of the variables here have given rise to these phenomena over time, we will have as a result the climate of a region.
For this reason, we affirm that the climate is the sum of the meteorological variables that take place over time and in space. All these variables and their values are what give the climatic characteristics to a certain area. For example, the average temperatures that exist in a certain region of the planet is what marks part of this climate. It can be classified as warm, temperate or cold areas depending on the average temperature values. One of the most remarkable examples for our area is the Mediterranean climate. This climate is characterized mainly by having high temperatures in the summer season and colder and wetter winters. I mean, these types of weather the precipitations are concentrated in the winter months while the summers are drier.
It is important to combine meteorological data and develop aggregate averages for part of the values of the variables that make up the climate. The remaining data, which deviate too far from the average, are not usually used to establish this average value. In almost all areas, there are average values for wind patterns, temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, etc.
Climate factors
As we have mentioned before, a series of meteorological variables are those that give the characteristics to the climate of an area. These climate factors are as follows: altitude and latitude, terrain inclination, water, ocean currents, temperature, rainfall, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, wind and solar radiation. As you can see, there are many climate factors and their values can change continuously. All these factors intervene in one way or another.
For example, the amount of solar radiation that can strike perpendicularly along the tropics is not the same as the amount of solar radiation that reaches the poles. The inclination of the sun's rays determines the amount of solar radiation that will reach them. Average temperatures are established based on this. This is the reason why the poles have a much lower average temperature than the tropics.
The energy that heats the Earth's surface and the surrounding atmosphere it is not the same in the entire area of the planet. It can be said that altitude and latitude have a significant influence. Let's analyze the different climate factors and how they affect its characteristics.
Altitude and latitude
Depending on the altitude and latitude we are at, we should know that temperatures will vary, in addition to other meteorological variables. For every 100 meters that we climb in altitude, the temperature drops by 3 degrees Celsius. With this rise in altitude we also see that the atmospheric pressure does as well as the temperature. These two variables, such as temperature and atmospheric pressure, make environmental conditions favor another type of life development.
For example, there is a large amount of flora and fauna that has developed and adapted to this type of altitude. In these places, there is a lack of food, little vegetation, increased wind speed, etc. These conditions do not contribute to the development of biodiversity. To learn more about how altitude affects ecosystems, we recommend reading the article on Growing vegetables in the cold Alaskan tundra.
Temperature
Temperature is the most important variable globally. It primarily determines the development of life. Temperature must be within a range necessary for life to develop and for species to occupy the territory. The temperature variableThey are affected by clouds, wind, rain, atmospheric pressure, the amount of solar radiation that reaches the surface, etc.
This means that a single atmospheric variable does not have an absolute value, but will be affected by other climate factors. solar radiation It is crucial in the thermal balance of our planet.
Precipitation
Precipitation is summarized as the source of water for an area and the maintenance of environmental humidity. Thanks to precipitation, vegetation can thrive, and with it the rest of the food chain. Precipitation occurs depending on temperature, the amount of solar radiation, cloud cover, atmospheric pressure, etc. As we can see, there is no climate factor that is not conditioned by another. The relationship between climate and water is fundamental for agriculture and wildlife in the world. vulnerable regions.
Humidity
Humidity is the amount of vapor that is contained in the air. It is determined by the rainfall regime of an area, the temperature, the wind, among others. The more rainfall an area has and the less wind, the more water vapor the air can hold.
Atmospheric pressure
It is the force that the air exerts on us and the Earth's surface. It is defined as what the air thinks. As we mentioned before, as we ascend in altitude, atmospheric pressure decreases. The study of how atmospheric pressure varies with altitude is essential to understanding the climate factors and their influence on the environment.
Climate factors: cloudiness, solar radiation environment
In what we go these three climate factors since they are the ones that vary the most on the earth's surface. The amount of clouds in the troposphere at any given time is an element of the climate that is influenced by precipitation, the amount of solar radiation that reaches the surface and the humidity of the environment.
Wind is the movement of air and determines some variables of the climate such as environmental humidity, changes in atmospheric pressure and contributes to the evaporation of water. The evaporation of water is one of the key elements of the water cycle. For a more in-depth analysis of clouds, I invite you to read the article on Curious cirrus clouds like few others.
Solar radiation is one of the variables that can vary the most from one area to another. It is the radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and the air, and is typically retained by greenhouse gases, such as clouds.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about climate factors and how they act on it.