4TH GRADE: Weekly Lesson #45

Climates of the Midwest/Ohio Valley

Objective:We will learn about the weather patterns of the Northwest and Southwest states

Ustaadhah Mariam Annor

Weather patterns are similar in some regions. In this lesson, we will look at the Northwest states and Southwest.

• elevation of the land and how close the state is to the ocean are some of the factors that make a difference in how hot or cold it is in these states.

• Elevation makes a huge difference.

• The higher you go, the colder and snowier it gets.

Northwest and Southwest States

The Northwestern region

–Idaho–Montana–Oregon–Washington –Wyoming

January’s Weather• The climate in January is cool and wet for the

coastal section of the Northwestern region.

• It is cooler but drier away from the coast. • The Pacific coast stays damp as moisture

comes from the Pacific Ocean.

• Higher elevations are much colder and get a lot of snow.

July’s Weather• July is warm and dry.

• The Pacific Ocean is cooler than the land, so it doesn’t provide hot humid air like other regions.

• It actually makes it cooler along the coast than inland.

• July is a sunny month for the northwest.

The Southwestern Region– Arizona– California – Colorado– Nevada– New Mexico – Utah

January’s Weather• The climate in this region in January

is mild and very dry. The wettest areas are along the California coast.

• Elevation makes a huge difference. The higher you go, the colder and snowier it gets.

July’s Weather• July is warm and dry, with the hottest

temperatures over the California and Arizona deserts.

• It is cooler along the coast because the air blowing off the Pacific Ocean is cooler.

• There is very little rain, but most of the rain falls in the mountains during thunderstorms.

Review Question?• In your notebook, identify and write

down 3 states in the Northwest and Southwest and their corresponding climate.

Review Question? What are some of the factors

that make a difference in how hot or cold it is in these states?