Effect of Altitude and Mountains on Climate
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by CK-12
What it is
- This resource provides images, a graph, a summary, a video, review questions, and adaptive practice questions about the effects of altitude and mountains on climate conditions.
- Students will learn about how altitude and temperature are correlated and how mountains create specific weather patterns.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The adaptive practice questions provide a self-assessment tool for students to check their understanding.
- The video highlights weather patterns created by mountains and the prevailing winds in the Northwest and Southwest U.S.
Prerequisites
- Students and teachers will need to sign in to use some of the interactive features.
- Each student will need to have access to a computer and the internet for the interactive self-assessment questions.
Differentiation & Implementation
- This could be used for virtual learning, homework, or an in-class assignment.
- Geography students could look at maps of mountain ranges all over the globe and check the biomes present on either side to determine the direction of the prevailing winds in each area.
- Science classes could discuss the potential effects of a wavier jet stream that holds weather systems in place longer on both sides of mountain ranges and how this is connected to global warming and climate change.
- Other resources related to this topic include The Effect of Latitude on Climate and 5 Plants and Animals Utterly Confused by Climate Change.
From the scientist review
Orographic lifting influences the climate of a place. Movement of air masses by wind causes distinct climatic features at the windward and leeward sides of mountains and other landforms. The resource describes variability in climate as a result of altitudinal changes. This is recommended.
Ready to use it?
Hosted on flexbooks.ck12.org
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
