What does the 'L' in LOWERN stand for?

• A. Elevation
• B. Latitude
• C. Winds
• D. Nearness to water

Answer: (B)

The L stands for Latitude. Latitude is how far a place is north or south of the equator. This position determines how much solar energy different places receive over the year, which affects average temperature and the length of seasons. Areas closer to the equator get more direct sunlight and tend to be warmer, while higher latitudes receive sunlight at a steeper angle and have cooler climates with longer winters. Because climate patterns are strongly shaped by how much solar energy a location gets, latitude is a primary factor in explaining why Canadian regions have different temperatures and seasonal patterns.

Other parts of the LOWERN mnemonic point to additional influences, such as ocean currents, winds, elevation, relief, and nearness to water, but they are separate ideas from the line of latitude. Knowing latitude helps you understand baseline climate differences due to geographic position, before adding the effects of those other factors.