O climate is the set of variations in the atmosphere in a given location or region. It is a dynamic that lasts over 30 years, unlike the time, which are the momentary oscillations in this same atmosphere. For example, when we say that a region has two well-defined seasons throughout the year, we are talking about the weather, but when we say that it rained today and tomorrow it will be sunny, we are referring to the time.
In this sense, the climate can be understood from its factors and elements, terms that, apparently similar, refer to totally different issues.
You climatic elements are atmospheric quantities that can be measured or instantly measured. These are the atmospheric elements that vary in time and space and are the basic attribute to define the region's climate. The main climatic elements are: radiation, temperature, pressure and humidity.
You Climatic factors it is the conditions that determine or interfere with climatic elements and the resulting climates. They are the ones that help explain why one region is hot and humid and another one is cold and dry, for example. The main climatic factors are: latitude, altitude, maritime and continentality, air masses, vegetation, sea currents and even relief.
climatic elements
a) radiation: climatic radiation, in general terms, can be defined as all the heat received by the atmosphere, most of which comes from the sun, but which also receives the influence of living beings and natural and artificial elements that reflect heat already existing. Solar radiation manifests itself in different tones of intensity across the planet, which contributes to the formation of so-called thermal or climatic zones from the earth.
b) temperature: is the measurement of heat in the atmosphere, which can be measured in degrees candlsius (°C) or in other measurement units, such as fahrenheit (ºF) and the kelvin (K).
ç) atmospheric pressure: is the “weight” or “force” exerted by the air on the surface, because, contrary to what many people think, air has mass and, consequently, weight. Atmospheric pressure is usually measured in millibars (mb).
d) moisture: is the amount of water in its gaseous form present in the atmosphere. So we have the absolute humidity (total amount of water in the atmosphere) and the relative humidity of air (amount of water in the atmosphere in relation to the total needed for rain).
Climatic factors
a) latitude: is intrinsically linked to differences in solar radiation on Earth. Thus, the closer to the Equator (low latitudes), the more temperatures tend to increase. On the other hand, as we head towards the polar zones (high latitudes), the lower temperatures tend to be.
B) altitude: in higher regions, atmospheric pressure tends to be lower, in addition to the fact that radiation is also lower. Thus, the temperature is usually lower, which makes us conclude that the higher the altitude, the lower the temperatures, and the closer to sea level, the higher the temperatures.
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Higher regions tend to be cooler
ç) maritimeness or continentality: are terms that designate, respectively, the proximity of a place to the sea or its position in a more continental region, which directly affects the climate. This is because the soil usually heats up or cools down more quickly than water, which leads to greater amplitude. thermal (difference between the highest and lowest temperature) throughout the year in continental regions and the reverse in regions coastal areas.
d) air masses: depending on the differences in atmospheric pressure, we have the movement of air. When this movement occurs in blocks of air with the same temperature and humidity, air masses are formed, which transfer their characteristics to the climate of the places they pass through. Cool and humid air masses, for example, are responsible for lowering temperatures and increasing humidity. The meeting between two different masses forms the air fronts.
e) vegetation: interferes with the mood in many different ways. The main ones are the containment or absorption of the sun's rays, minimizing its effects, and the elevation of moisture through evapotranspiration, which helps to lower temperatures and raise rain.
f) relief: also influences the climate when higher regions impede the passage of air masses, causing some regions to become drier or even desert.
g) Ocean currents: have specific temperature conditions, directly influencing the climate. In regions where the sea is warmer, for example, evaporation increases and increases humidity, which is dispersed to other regions. When currents are cooler, local humidity decreases and atmospheric pressure and humidity become lower, which causes this region to end up “sucking” the air masses from other locations, which start to undergo changes in their climates.
In addition to all these factors, which are of a natural order, it is also necessary to remember that man ends up becoming one of the most intense agents of climate change. It can be responsible for both more localized climatic phenomena (heat islands, thermal inversion and others) and for broader and more diversified processes.
By Rodolfo Alves Pena
Graduated in Geography