Land of Contrasts

1. Land of Contrasts The Climate of Texas 1.3

2. Absolute Location Affects Climatepage 38 • Texas lies between the middle latitudes – region about midway between the equator and the North Pole. • Texas has mild winters because it is not very far from the equator. • The middle latitudes are a meeting place of cool air moving from the north and warm moist air moving from the Gulf of Mexico. • Violent storms sometimes result from the mixing of the cold and warm air. 1.3

3. Relative Location also Affects Climate • The relative location of Texas to the Gulf of Mexico has a major influence on the climate. • The wind that blows from the ocean cools the land in the summer and warms it in winter. • Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is the source of most rain that falls on the state. • The relative location of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico also brings large destructive storms. (hurricanes) 1.3

4. 1.3

5. Elevation and Climate Patterns • Temperature cools as the elevation rises and warms as elevation decreases. • Elevation also affects rainfall because warm air holds more moisture than cool air. • Mountains receive more rainfall than flat land. • As moisture-filled air moves up a mountain it is quickly cooled. As the air cools it is less able to hold moisture and falls as rain. 1.3