Latitude--General Description

Latitude is the distance north or south from the equator. Regions farther north or south of the equator receive less direct sunlight than regions nearer the equator. At more distant locations, the sun's rays hit the earth at an angle, causing the rays to be dispersed. Latitude also affects the position of the sun in the sky.

The amount of sunlight that reaches the earth's surface also depends on the earth's tilt. The tilt of the earth is responsible for seasonal weather changes and changes in day length. The earth's tilt affects the weather in the northern and southern regions of the world more than in the equatorial regions.

Latitude and Global Air Circulation

At different latitudes, air moves in different directions at different speeds. These differences in air movement are caused by solar heating and the earth's rotation.

The jet streams, located at around 30 degrees latitude, contain the fastest moving air. Speeds may exceed 100 miles per hour.

Equatorial regions generally have very slow moving air.

Heated air rises at the equator and then moves toward the North and South Poles. In regions between 0 and 30 degrees north and south latitude, these movements result in the southeast (Southern Hemisphere) or northeast (Northern Hemisphere) trade winds that blow to the northwest (Southern Hemisphere) and the southwest (Northern Hemisphere).

The westerly direction is cause by the earth's rotation to the east.

Regions between 30 and 60 degrees north and south latitude, are greatly influenced by the westerlies which blow from the west to the east. Westerlies are caused by the descent the air which had risen at the poles.

At higher latitudes, air cools and settles over the poles, causing easterly polar winds which move from the east to the west, and toward the equator.

Latitude and Colorado

Colorado lies between 37 degrees and 41 degrees north latitude.

Colorado can receive from 9 to 15 hours of daylight, depending on the season.

Colorado climate is generally influenced by westerlies.

Sources:

Miller, Albert, and Jack C. Thompson. Elements of Meteorology. Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill, 1975.

Siemer, Eugene G. Colorado Climate. Colorado Experimental Station, 1977. Colorado Experimental Station, 1977.

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