4.8 Earth’s Geography and Climate

Describe how the Earth’s geography affects weather and climate.

• Weather and climate are affected not only by the sun’s energy but by geologic and geographic factors, such as mountains and ocean temperature.
• A rain shadow is a region of land that has become drier because a higher elevation area blocks precipitation from reaching the land.
• Enduring understanding ENG-2: Most of the Earth’s atmospheric processes are driven by input of energy from the sun.