1. Latitude:
- Florida is located closer to the equator (between 24° and 31° N) than Montana (between 44° and 49° N).
- The closer a region is to the equator, the more direct sunlight it receives, resulting in higher temperatures.
2. Proximity to Water:
- Florida is a peninsula, surrounded by the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
- Large bodies of water have a significant influence on local climate. Water heats up and cools down slower than land. This means coastal areas, like Florida, experience a milder, more moderate climate.
3. Air Masses:
- Florida is predominantly affected by warm, moist air masses from the south and southeast, which originate from the tropics or subtropical regions.
- Montana, on the other hand, is influenced by continental air masses from the north and the Pacific Ocean from the west, which are generally colder.
4. Elevation:
- Florida is a low-lying state with an average elevation of around 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. Montana, on the other hand, is a mountainous state, with an average elevation of around 3,400 feet (1,036 m).
- Higher elevations tend to be cooler due to lower atmospheric pressure and reduced air density, which reduces the insulating effect of the air.
5. Prevailing Wind Patterns:
- Florida's prevailing winds come from the east and southeast, bringing warm, tropical air from the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Montana, on the other hand, experiences more variable wind patterns, including cold winds from the north during the winter months.
As a result of these factors, Florida has a subtropical climate, characterized by hot and humid summers and mild winters, while Montana has a continental climate, characterized by cold winters and warm, sometimes hot, summers.
