(100 POINTS PLEASE HELP) Project Intro

For this project, your goal is to explain why your city has the climate it does based on the latitude of the city and how that affects the amount of heat it receives from the sun, the air masses that affect it, and any ocean currents that affect the area.

Directions

You are to choose a city from the list below.

You will use the knowledge you have gained in this unit to answer the 3 questions in this assignment. You MUST use scientific reasoning in your answers.

You will want to go through slides from our lessons to assist you in answering the questions.

You will need to find your city on a map to answer these questions properly. You may use the map in your science kit, or you can find a map on line.

Materials Needed

Map of North America – one is included in your science kit OR you may use one found online.

Helpful lessons: 1.04, 1.07, 1.11, 1.13. Use our class slides to help you find information. You may still need to research more information. Links to slides are found in the

Choose one city from the list below

Vancouver, Canada

Los Angeles, California

Miami, Florida

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bismarck, North Dakota

Intro Information (Worth 3 points)

My city:

What is the latitude of your city?

The sun’s heat does not warm the Earth evenly. Areas near the equator are the hottest, and the further away you get from the equator in either direction (north or south) the cooler it gets.

In your own words answer this: If 0º latitude is hot and 90º latitude is cold, would you predict the weather in your city to be relatively warm or relatively cool? Why?

Based on the latitude/location of your city answer the questions using complete sentences. Remember, weather is the day-to-day conditions of a place. Climate is the average weather conditions of a place over a period of years. You are to examine and discuss the climate of your city.

The Earth is unevenly heated by the sun due to the sun hitting some areas more directly than others.

How does that impact the temperatures in your city? (Worth 4 points)

Large global wind systems are created by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface. These global wind systems drive air masses to areas creating different climates and weather patterns.

Which type of air mass would likely occur in your city? What type of weather would that bring? (air mass types: maritime polar, continental polar, maritime tropical, continental tropical) (Worth 4 points)

Examine your city and the ocean currents in that area, if any. Is your city affected by ocean currents?

If yes, explain how the ocean currents affect your city. If no, explain how ocean currents affect coastal cities. (Worth 4 points)