How does the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains control the temperature and moisture of the grasslands biome in southern Alberta?
This article answers your question.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Alberta
To answer your question about how the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains control the temperature and moisture of the grasslands biome in southern Alberta, you can refer to the geography of Alberta described on the Wikipedia page provided.
First, let's understand the role of the Pacific Ocean. The Pacific Ocean is located to the west of Alberta. Its cool waters, along with the prevailing westerly winds, have a significant influence on the region's climate. These winds, known as the Pacific Ocean influence or the "maritime influence," bring moisture to Alberta from the ocean. As the air moves eastward from the Pacific, it encounters the barrier of the Rocky Mountains.
The Rocky Mountains, which stretch across western North America, act as a barrier to the prevailing westerly winds. As the moist air travels westward, it is forced to rise over the mountains. As the air rises, it cools, and the moisture condenses, leading to the formation of clouds and precipitation on the western slopes of the mountains. This phenomenon is known as orographic precipitation.
As the air moves over the mountains and descends on the eastern side, it becomes drier and warmer. This creates a rain shadow effect, where the eastern side of the Rockies experiences a drier climate with less rainfall compared to the western side.
In southern Alberta, the grasslands biome is located in the eastern part of the province, beyond the Rocky Mountains. The rain shadow effect caused by the mountains significantly impacts the climate of this region. The lack of moisture from the Pacific Ocean, combined with the descending air on the eastern slopes, results in lower rainfall and drier conditions.
The Rocky Mountains also play a role in temperature control. As the air passes over the mountains, it undergoes adiabatic heating (warming due to compression) and cooling due to expansion. This can lead to significant temperature variation between the western and eastern sides of the mountain range.
In summary, the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains influence the climate of the grasslands biome in southern Alberta. The moist air from the ocean brings precipitation, while the mountains act as a barrier, causing orographic precipitation and a rain shadow effect. The combined effect of these factors determines the temperature and moisture conditions in the region.