Reflection Post: Lima, Peru Vs. Liberia, Costa Rica

For this reflection blog, I chose to compare Lima, Peru with Liberia, Costa Rica. There are a few reasons for this. One of them is because both cities are relatively equal distance away from the equator, one to the north and one to the south. This can typically mean similar weather since both locations would get similar amounts of sun light but we will see in this blog the different factors that make each destination so unique.

Lima sits about 12 degrees south and Liberia sits at about 11 degrees north.  Source: Google Maps

The fist major difference we see between the two locations is their average yearly temperatures. You would expect to see similar temperature patterns but with opposite seasons but that is not the case here. Lima seems to have a higher variance in its seasonal temperatures than Liberia does. Another factor we see from these two graphs, is Lima consistently gets Southern Winds driving the mP air-mass up, where as for Liberia, the winds are consistent from January to April coming form the east which also corresponds with the higher temperature averages for the year. This is because the winds brings in the mT air-mass from the warm Atlantic Ocean situated to the east. (Graphs sourced from Wundergrond.com) 

Average yearly temp for Liberia, Costa Rica

Average Yearly temp for Lima, Peru

On the grander scale, I expected to find that both of these locations would have similar weather patterns but I found that the local features of each locations have a prevailing effect on their respective climates. 

Blog 2: Fronts and Air Masses

Lima's weather is affected by a few different fronts that affect its day to day weather. The major air mass that comes into Peru is mP air mass a driven from the south by the prevailing wind currents.It can also get some mE air mass driven by the SE trade winds, thou this is rare. Depending on the time of year and how far the air mass travels north, the temperature can vary from mild to cold.

Major air masses of the world, Source:

http://africanpaintingsgallery.com/air-mass-pictures

The  Major means of transportation for air masses are prevailing wind patterns and currents aloft which drive the movement. For Lima, the sub tropical high pressure system that sits on the Pacific south of Peru, creates northerly winds as it rotates counterclockwise bringing with the the maritime polar air mass. This brings with it a cold front that cools the temperature as it moves inland.

Major Wind Current patterns In January and July  Source:http://www.seafriends.org.nz/oceano/currents.htm

Something that is Happens in Lima, that is unique due to its land scape is the creation of the clouds from the moist and cold air mass as it rises in altitude due to the Andes. Lima it self gets minimal precipitation because as discussed in the previous blog, the temperature through out the year stays pretty mild. As the air mass climbs in altitude and gets colder, it reaches it due point and creates precipitation on the windward side of the Andes.

Clouds create as air mass reaches the Andes, Source: 
http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap