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Factors Affecting Weather Conditions

Weather conditions refer to the state of the Earth's lower atmosphere, called the "troposphere," and its meteorological phenomena of wind, clouds, storms or fog at any given time. Weather is a short-term measurement of the climate. It involves temperature, humidity, air pressure and levels of precipitation. A wide variety of factors affect an area's temporary weather conditions.

Proximity to Water
- Closeness to the ocean or a large body of water affects a region's weather conditions. Areas closer to the sea have more moderate temperatures than regions further inland. The sea retains heat and releases it in the winter. Coastal areas receive greater precipitation from evaporated moisture. Large expanses of water affect local cloud formations and humidity levels. According to the Illinois State Climatologist Office, Lake Michigan is one of the top four factors affecting the local weather conditions. It produces cloudiness and heavy lake-effect snow in the winter.
Jet Streams
- The shifting movements of the jet streams are a major factor in determining weather conditions. The jet streams are fast winds blowing six miles above the Earth's surface. The narrow air currents mark the boundaries of warm tropical air masses and colder ones from the polar regions. When the polar jet streams drop south, the weather gets colder and drier. As the jet streams move north the weather becomes warmer and wetter. The streams create and move low-pressure systems and the stormy weather associated with them.
Air Masses
- Warm and cool air masses are the result of the sun's uneven heating of the Earth's surface. The differing heating rates cause high and low pressure areas of the atmosphere. As solar heat redistributes into the atmosphere, it generates wind to move the air masses from high to low pressure areas. Colliding warm and cool fronts cause heavy showers and thunderstorms, often with damaging winds and hail. When cold, dry polar air masses meet up with warm, dry air from the southwest and they both slam into warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, conditions are right for tornadoes.
Location
- Your location is a factor affecting the weather conditions. If you live high in the mountains, expect it to be snowy and windy. If you live on the inland side of coastal mountains, it will be dry, as the peaks will prevent weather systems and moist air from crossing. Weather conditions within large urban areas are warmer from the heat island effect. Industrialized areas can increase the humidity and contribute to smog levels.

Nature