Climate Zones An Overview Wessel ~ 2017 Dry Climates Low Latitudes Mid-latitudes High Latitudes Highland

Dry Climates Deserts are arid and receive less than (<) 10 in rain per year. One of Arizona’s major climate zones is the desert.

Dry Climates Steppe climate zones are found in the middle of large continents. It is semi-arid grassland with a few trees. The “Steppe” is a major climate zone in Arizona.

Humid Tropical Tropical Savanna Low Latitudes Humid Tropical Tropical Savanna

Low Latitude Climate The Humid Tropical climate zone is found near the equator. It is hot, humid, and rainy here all year round.

Low Latitude The Tropical Savanna climate zone is also found near the equator. It is dryer than the Humid Tropical regions. It has very specific wet and dry seasons.

Mid-Latitude Climates Mediterranean Humid Subtropical Marine West Coast Humid Continental

Mid-Latitude Mediterranean climate zone is in the middle latitudes. It has shrubs and grassland. Mediterranean has dry summers and mild wetter winters.

Mid-Latitude Humid Subtropical is on the east coasts in the middle latitudes. It has a mixed forest. Rains year-round. The coastal areas are in the paths of hurricanes and typhoons.

Mid-Latitude Climate Marine West Coast is on the west coast in the upper-middle latitudes. It has a temperate forest. Strong ocean influence with 20-60 inches of rain per year.

Mid-Latitude Humid Continental lies in the interior of continents. Humid Continental has four distinct seasons The amount of precipitation varies each year.

High Latitude Climates Subarctic Tundra Ice Cap

High Latitude Subarctic climate is found in the higher latitudes of the northern continents. It has dense evergreen forests called the taiga.

High Latitude Tundra is located near the high latitude coasts. It has moss, lichens, and permafrost Tundra is cold all year. Little precipitation.

High Latitude Climate Ice caps are located at the highest latitudes. It has no vegetation. Ice cap has freezing cold temperatures

Highlands Highland (mountainous) climates are in high mountain regions at any latitude. Highlands have cool or cold temperatures all year. One of the major climate zones of Arizona.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!