📖 Introduction to Climate
What is climate? Climate is the average weather conditions of a region over a long period of time, typically 30 years or more. While weather describes day-to-day atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind), climate describes the long-term patterns and averages of these conditions for a given location.
New York State has a humid continental climate, meaning it experiences warm, humid summers and cold winters. However, the climate varies significantly across the state due to several geographic and atmospheric factors. From the Atlantic coastline of Long Island to the peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, the state features a surprising range of climatic conditions.
Understanding climate factors helps us explain why different parts of New York State experience different temperatures, amounts of precipitation, and weather patterns. These factors include latitude, elevation, proximity to large bodies of water, ocean currents, prevailing winds, and mountain barriers.
✏️ Fill in the Blanks (5 points)
Based on the reading above, complete each statement.
🌍 Climate Factors of New York State
Read about each climate factor below. Pay close attention to the cities and regions affected.
🌡️ Latitude
Latitude measures how far north or south a location is from the equator. Locations at higher latitudes receive less direct sunlight and are cooler, while locations at lower latitudes are warmer.
New York State spans from approximately 40.5°N (New York City) to 45°N (Plattsburgh). Northern cities like Plattsburgh and Massena have significantly colder average temperatures than southern cities like New York City.
📍 NYC (warmer) · Plattsburgh & Massena (cooler)⛰️ Elevation (Altitude)
As elevation increases, air pressure decreases and temperatures drop at approximately 3.5°F per 1,000 feet. Higher elevations also receive more precipitation.
The Adirondack Mountains reach over 5,000 feet (Mt. Marcy at 5,344 ft). The Catskill Mountains also create cooler microclimates. Low-lying areas along the Hudson Valley and Long Island remain relatively mild.
📍 Lake Placid & Old Forge (cold, high) · NYC & Long Island (mild, low)🌊 Large Bodies of Water
Large bodies of water have a moderating effect. Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land, so coastal areas have cooler summers and warmer winters — a maritime climate.
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario moderate Buffalo, Rochester, and Oswego. The Atlantic Ocean keeps NYC and Long Island milder. Cities far from water, like Albany, experience a continental climate with extreme temperature ranges.
📍 Buffalo & NYC (moderated) · Albany & Syracuse (extreme ranges)🌀 Ocean Currents
The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that flows northward along the eastern coast of the United States, transporting heat energy.
The Gulf Stream keeps NYC and Long Island warmer, especially in winter. The warm water also adds moisture, contributing to nor’easter storms.
📍 NYC & Long Island (Gulf Stream warming)💨 Prevailing Winds
NYS lies in the belt of prevailing westerlies — winds that blow from west to east across the mid-latitudes (30°–60°N).
In winter, continental polar (cP) air masses from Canada bring cold. In summer, maritime tropical (mT) air masses bring heat and humidity. Buffalo is especially affected — westerlies blow across Lake Erie, creating lake-effect snow.
📍 Buffalo (lake-effect snow) · All of NYS (west-to-east weather)🏔️ Mountain Barriers
Mountains force air to rise, cool, and release moisture on the windward side. The leeward side receives less precipitation — a rain shadow.
The Tug Hill Plateau, between Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks, receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the eastern US — often exceeding 200 inches per year — from lake-effect moisture and orographic lifting.
📍 Tug Hill Plateau (extreme snow) · Hudson Valley (rain shadow)🎯 Climate Factors Check (7 points • must score 5/7 to proceed)
Answer the following questions based on the climate factors you just read.
🗺️ Part 2: Interactive Map Exploration
Click on each city pin on the map below to flip open its climate data card. Explore all 10 cities to learn about the unique climate factors affecting each location, then answer the questions.
🎯 Map Questions (12 points)
📊 Part 3: Climate Data Analysis
Examine the temperature and precipitation data. Use the tables and graphs to answer the analysis questions.
Average Monthly Temperature (°F)
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYC | 33 | 35 | 43 | 54 | 63 | 73 | 78 | 77 | 69 | 58 | 47 | 37 | 55.6 |
| Buffalo | 25 | 26 | 35 | 47 | 58 | 68 | 72 | 70 | 63 | 51 | 40 | 30 | 48.8 |
| Albany | 22 | 25 | 35 | 48 | 59 | 68 | 73 | 71 | 62 | 50 | 39 | 27 | 48.3 |
| Plattsburgh | 16 | 19 | 30 | 44 | 56 | 66 | 71 | 68 | 59 | 47 | 35 | 22 | 44.4 |
| Lake Placid | 12 | 15 | 26 | 40 | 52 | 61 | 66 | 64 | 55 | 43 | 32 | 18 | 40.3 |
Average Annual Precipitation (inches)
| City | Annual Rainfall | Annual Snowfall | Total Precip. |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC | 49.9 | 25.8 | 49.9 |
| Buffalo | 40.5 | 95.4 | 40.5 |
| Albany | 39.2 | 59.2 | 39.2 |
| Plattsburgh | 35.5 | 73.0 | 35.5 |
| Oswego | 40.1 | 140.5 | 40.1 |
🔬 Data Analysis Questions (6 points)
Answer each question, then submit to see the correct answers and compare with your responses.