Ch. 1, Sec. 2 North Carolina’s Climate and Weather

1. Ch. 1, Sec. 2North Carolina’s Climate and Weather Assess the impact of geography on the settlement and developing economy of the Carolina economy.

2. North Carolina’s LOCATION • One of the most important factors influencing climate, or weather over an extended period of time, is a region’s location. • The closer to the equator a place is, the warmer it will be and the farther its location, the colder. • Because of it’s location in reference to the equator, North Carolina has a moderate temperature year around. • North Carolina is also found in the region in the United States called the Sun Belt, or a strip of warm-weather states that runs across the southern US.

3. Climate is also affected by a region’s location to other natural features. • Since the state borders the Atlantic Ocean, it has more moisture than inland areas and states and because water hold onto the sun’s heat, the Atlantic Ocean carries warm air over most of the state. • Therefore, North Carolina has warm, humid summers and cool, damp winters.

4. ALTITUDE Altitude also affects climate. The higher the elevation, the cooler the air and the lower, the warmer. It is generally cooler in the western part of the state than in the eastern part because the mountains act as a barrier, trapping in or blocking out certain types of weather.

5. PRECIPITATION Precipitation, or water released from the atmosphere, can fall to the Earth in the form of hail, rain, sleet, fog, dew, or snow. The type of precipitation an area receives is oftentimes dependent upon the prevailing temperatures. The largest amounts of rain falls in July and August while the least amount is recorded in October or November. Snow often falls in the mountains during the winter months.

6. WINDS For much of the year, winds blow in North Carolina from the southwest, except in September and October when they come from the northeast. Wind speeds usually decrease at night and increase in the morning. NC’s winds have actually played a role in the state’s history, particularly on the coast and Outer Banks where hundreds of ships were blown off course and sunk. Throughout time, coastal winds have shifted the coastline.

7. Factors that affect Climate and Weather • Location • Altitude • Precipitation • Winds

8. Which of the following statements is true? a) Climate character9zes a region over an extended period of time b) Climate can change significantly in a short period of time c) Weather contains different types of climates d) Weather is much more predictable than climate • The Sun Belt is a strip of warm-weather states that runs across the ______. • North Carolina is warmer than New England because ________. • Why is the Piedmont usually colder than the Tidewater? a) It has moisture in the air b) It has swampy land c) It is farther from the equator d) It is higher in elevation. • How does the Atlantic Ocean affect North Carolina’s climate? a) It makes the air warm and moist b) It brings heavy rains to the Piedmont c) It lowers the humidity throughout North Carolina d) It brings cold winds to the Coastal Plain • The four factors that affect North Carolina’s climate are _____________.

9. Bibliography www.unitedstreaming.com http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/United_States/South/North_Carolina/