How Does Altitude and Latitude Affect Climate?

The atmosphere is warmed by heat radiating from the surface of the earth. The higher you go up into the atmoshere altitude rises, decreasing tempeture. Latitude is the base of climate control.

Temperate Zones:

Source: flickr by jovike

• 23.5 °N - 66.5°N is called tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn is 23.5 °S -  66.5°S in between the two is the temperate zone.

• Temperate zones have clear seasons.

• Tropic region is between 23.5°N. and 23.5°S. of the equator.

  • Can also be called the Variable Zone.


Every 1,000 foot rise in the air means the temperature drops by 4°F this is called Adiabatic Lapse Rate.
There are five different types of Adiabatic Lapse Rates.
Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate: When a parcel of air is lifted the pressure decreases. If the air is dry and the parcel  goes down more to a higher pressure then the temperature increases. 
• Moist Adiabatic Lapse Rate: When a mass of air is elevated into the dry adiabatic lapse rate is stays unsaturated, but if the original moisture is moving with it the mass it cools to it saturation. The humidity then reaches 100%. This process is calle Moist Adiabatic Lapse Rate.
• Average Adiabatic Lapse Rate: Is in between the moist adiabatic and dry adiabatic lapse rate.
• Super Adiabatic Lapse Rate: A drop in the temerature that is more that 5.5°F per 1,000 feet but less then 15°F per 1,000 feet.
• Auto convective Lapse Rate: Is a larger drop in temerature of 15°F per 1,000 feet. It is a rare lapse rate and is limited to shallow layers.


Source: flickr by Ron Layters

Approximately 12,050 feet in altitude. (image above)


• Climate Control: Latitude


Temprate Zone


Effects of Altitude on Climate and Vegetation Address:
•Title: none Address:


• Title: Wikipedia, Geographical zone



• Title: North star, Latitude and Climate