Climate in Southern California
DBQ:
-High evaporation rate
-Low annual rainfall leads to water shortage
-Drought leads to dry soil
-Uneven distribution of rainfall
-Frost may occur in winter (Inland)
-high annual mean temperature
Essay : Climate constraints/ MC
Western coast Inland region
Climate Mediterranean climate: Semi-arid to arid
-Hot, dry summer;
-Warm, humid winter
Temperatur - Cool winter (above 10°) - Hot Summer
e - Cool summer (above 15°) - Cold / cool winter
- > High evaporation in
summer Frost may develop
- Radiation frost in calm winter day
(Due to intense radiation loss at night>
sudden drop in temperature)
-Cold air masses move from north to
California
>> Frozen soil formed >> Frost-free
period shortened (but with irrigation,
growing season is long)
Rainfall Low annual rainfall (250- Low annual rainfall (<500mm)
500mm)
reasons:
, 1. Dry summer 1. Dry offshore wind
(Locates at subtropical- 2. Central Valley located in rain shadow
high pressure belt , region
sinking air brings stable air
condition
2. Humid Winter
(Wet onshore winds,
sometimes storms from
Gulf of Alaska)
Annual Small Large
range of - Influence of ocean current - Continentality / less maritime influence
temperatur (California cold current)
e
Favorable factors for farming development in the Central Valley:
1. Climate : Warm and long frost-free period > Long growing season
all year round
2. Relief: Lowland (only for central valley, western coast and
Imperial valley)
2. Drainage: There are rivers like Sacramento river. There is water
source from snowmelt of mountains. (Sierra Nevada Mountains)
3. Soil: /
What are the physical inputs of Southern California?
Physical inputs of Southern California:
Climate Constraints and favorable factors
, Relief Hilly and rugged relief
Many parts are highland in Southern
California. e.g. Coast Ranges, Sierra
Neveda Mountains
Except lowland like Central Valley,
Imperial Valley, Western Coast
Drainage 1. Abundant river channels
Central Valley: Sacramento River and San
Jaoquin River
Imperial Valley: Colorado River drains it
2. Water from snowmelt of the mountain like
Sierra Neveda Mountains
Soil 1. Alkaline soil
( potential evapotranspiration is greater than
precipitation> capillary action> evaporation> left
salt crust behind> salinization> Alkaline soil )
2. Infertile soil
- Spare vegetation ( mainly grassland) > little nutrient
and humus> little oragnic matter > low water storage
capacity > Infertility of soil
Others Introduction of exotic species led to exotic
pests and diseases
Inadequate good quality farmland:
Human activities degraded farmland,
especially due to misuse of farming
technologies. Good quality farmland
encroached by urban development.
Cultural Input: (T-C, L-G, M-T)
1. Technology : High technology level> to overcome physical
constraints
DBQ:
-High evaporation rate
-Low annual rainfall leads to water shortage
-Drought leads to dry soil
-Uneven distribution of rainfall
-Frost may occur in winter (Inland)
-high annual mean temperature
Essay : Climate constraints/ MC
Western coast Inland region
Climate Mediterranean climate: Semi-arid to arid
-Hot, dry summer;
-Warm, humid winter
Temperatur - Cool winter (above 10°) - Hot Summer
e - Cool summer (above 15°) - Cold / cool winter
- > High evaporation in
summer Frost may develop
- Radiation frost in calm winter day
(Due to intense radiation loss at night>
sudden drop in temperature)
-Cold air masses move from north to
California
>> Frozen soil formed >> Frost-free
period shortened (but with irrigation,
growing season is long)
Rainfall Low annual rainfall (250- Low annual rainfall (<500mm)
500mm)
reasons:
, 1. Dry summer 1. Dry offshore wind
(Locates at subtropical- 2. Central Valley located in rain shadow
high pressure belt , region
sinking air brings stable air
condition
2. Humid Winter
(Wet onshore winds,
sometimes storms from
Gulf of Alaska)
Annual Small Large
range of - Influence of ocean current - Continentality / less maritime influence
temperatur (California cold current)
e
Favorable factors for farming development in the Central Valley:
1. Climate : Warm and long frost-free period > Long growing season
all year round
2. Relief: Lowland (only for central valley, western coast and
Imperial valley)
2. Drainage: There are rivers like Sacramento river. There is water
source from snowmelt of mountains. (Sierra Nevada Mountains)
3. Soil: /
What are the physical inputs of Southern California?
Physical inputs of Southern California:
Climate Constraints and favorable factors
, Relief Hilly and rugged relief
Many parts are highland in Southern
California. e.g. Coast Ranges, Sierra
Neveda Mountains
Except lowland like Central Valley,
Imperial Valley, Western Coast
Drainage 1. Abundant river channels
Central Valley: Sacramento River and San
Jaoquin River
Imperial Valley: Colorado River drains it
2. Water from snowmelt of the mountain like
Sierra Neveda Mountains
Soil 1. Alkaline soil
( potential evapotranspiration is greater than
precipitation> capillary action> evaporation> left
salt crust behind> salinization> Alkaline soil )
2. Infertile soil
- Spare vegetation ( mainly grassland) > little nutrient
and humus> little oragnic matter > low water storage
capacity > Infertility of soil
Others Introduction of exotic species led to exotic
pests and diseases
Inadequate good quality farmland:
Human activities degraded farmland,
especially due to misuse of farming
technologies. Good quality farmland
encroached by urban development.
Cultural Input: (T-C, L-G, M-T)
1. Technology : High technology level> to overcome physical
constraints
