In mountainous regions, a variety of climate types can exist within a relatively short distance. Here, in Colorado, aspen change color in a continental-type climate, while the high peaks with a polar climate experience perpetual snow. © Carr Clifton/Minden Pictures Fig. 13-CO, p. 352

Figure 13.1: Average annual sea-level temperatures throughout the world (°F). Fig. 13-1, p. 355

Figure 13.2: A vertical cross section along a line running north to south illustrates the main global regions of rising and sinking air and how each region influences precipitation. Fig. 13-2, p. 356

Figure 13.2: A vertical cross section along a line running north to south illustrates the main global regions of rising and sinking air and how each region influences precipitation. Stepped Art Fig. 13-2, p. 356

Figure 13.3: Average annual precipitation across the United States along with variation in annual precipitation for three Northern Hemisphere cities. Fig. 13-3, p. 357

Figure 13.4: The effect of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State on average annual rainfall. Fig. 13-4, p. 357

p. 358

Figure 1: Some precipitation records throughout the world. Figure 1, p. 359

Figure 13.5: The effect of topography on average annual precipitation along a line running from the Pacific Ocean through central California into western Nevada. Fig. 13-5, p. 360

Figure 13.5: The effect of topography on average annual precipitation along a line running from the Pacific Ocean through central California into western Nevada. Stepped Art Fig. 13-5, p. 360

Figure 13.6: A simplified overview of the major climate types according to Köppen, along with some of the climatic controls. The large Hs on the map represent the average position of the subtropical high pressure areas. The solid red lines show the average position of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in January and July. The ocean currents in red are warm, whereas those in blue are cold. Fig. 13-6, p. 361

Figure 13.6: A simplified overview of the major climate types according to Köppen, along with some of the climatic controls. The large Hs on the map represent the average position of the subtropical high pressure areas. The solid red lines show the average position of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in January and July. The ocean currents in red are warm, whereas those in blue are cold. Stepped Art Fig. 13-6, p. 361

Figure 13.7: Worldwide distribution of climatic regions (after Köppen). Fig. 13-7a, p. 362

Figure 13.7: Worldwide distribution of climatic regions (after Köppen). Fig. 13-7b, p. 363

Figure 13. 8: Tropical rain forest near Iquitos, Peru Figure 13.8: Tropical rain forest near Iquitos, Peru. (Climatic information for this region is presented in Fig. 13.7.) Fig. 13-8, p. 364

Figure 13.9: Temperature and precipitation data for Iquitos, Peru, latitude 4°S. A station with a tropical wet climate (Af). (This type of diagram is called a climograph. It shows monthly mean temperatures with a solid red line and monthly mean precipitation with bar graphs.) Fig. 13-9, p. 364

Figure 13.10: Baobob and acacia trees illustrate typical trees of the East African grassland savanna, a region with a tropical wet-and-dry climate (Aw). Fig. 13-10, p. 365

Figure 13. 11: Climatic data for Timbo, Guinea, latitude 11°N Figure 13.11: Climatic data for Timbo, Guinea, latitude 11°N. A station with a tropical wet-and-dry climate (Aw). Fig. 13-11, p. 366

Figure 13.12: Rain streamers (virga) are common in dry climates, as falling rain evaporates into the drier air before ever reaching the ground. Fig. 13-12, p. 367

Figure 13.13: Creosote bushes and cactus are typical of the vegetation found in the arid southwestern American deserts (BWh). Fig. 13-13, p. 368

Figure 13. 14: Climatic data for Phoenix, Arizona, latitude 33. 5°N Figure 13.14: Climatic data for Phoenix, Arizona, latitude 33.5°N. A station with an arid climate (BWh). Fig. 13-14, p. 368

Figure 13.15: Cumulus clouds forming over the steppe grasslands of western North America, a region with a semi-arid climate (BS). Fig. 13-15, p. 369

Figure 13. 16: Climatic data for Denver, Colorado, latitude 40°N Figure 13.16: Climatic data for Denver, Colorado, latitude 40°N. A station with a semi-arid climate (BSk). Fig. 13-16, p. 369

Figure 2: Location of coastal deserts that experience frequent fog, drizzle, and low clouds. Figure 2, p. 370

Figure 13. 17: Climatic data for Mobile, Alabama, latitude 30°N Figure 13.17: Climatic data for Mobile, Alabama, latitude 30°N. A station with a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Fig. 13-17, p. 371

Figure 13. 18: Climatic data for Port Hardy, Canada, latitude 51°N Figure 13.18: Climatic data for Port Hardy, Canada, latitude 51°N. A station with a marine climate (Cfb). Fig. 13-18, p. 372

Figure 13.19: Comparison of a coastal Mediterranean climate, Csb (San Francisco, at left), with an interior Mediterranean climate, Csa (Sacramento, at right). Fig. 13-19, p. 373

Figure 13.20: In the Mediterranean-type climates of North America, typical chaparral vegetation includes chamise, manzanita, and foothill pine. Fig. 13-20, p. 374

Figure 13.21: The leaves of deciduous trees burst into brilliant color during autumn over the countryside of Adirondack Park, a region with a humid continental climate. Fig. 13-21, p. 375

Figure 13.22: Comparison of a humid continental hot summer climate, Dfa (Des Moines, at left), with a humid continental cool summer climate, Dfb (Winnipeg, at right). Fig. 13-22, p. 376

Figure 13. 23: Climatic data for Fairbanks, Alaska, latitude 65°N Figure 13.23: Climatic data for Fairbanks, Alaska, latitude 65°N. A station with a subpolar climate (Dfc). Fig. 13-23, p. 377

Figure 13.24: Coniferous forests (taiga) such as this occur where winter temperatures are low and precipitation is abundant. Fig. 13-24, p. 377

Figure 13. 25: Climatic data for Barrow, Alaska, latitude 71°N Figure 13.25: Climatic data for Barrow, Alaska, latitude 71°N. A station with a polar tundra climate (ET). Fig. 13-25, p. 378

Figure 13. 26: Tundra vegetation in Alaska Figure 13.26: Tundra vegetation in Alaska. This type of tundra is composed mostly of sedges and dwarfed wildflowers that bloom during the brief growing season. Fig. 13-26, p. 378

Figure 13. 27: Climatic data for Eismitte, Greenland, latitude 71°N Figure 13.27: Climatic data for Eismitte, Greenland, latitude 71°N. Located in the interior of Greenland at an elevation of almost 10,000 feet above sea level. Eismitte has a polar ice cap climate (EF). Fig. 13-27, p. 379

Figure 13.28: Vertical view of changing vegetation and climate due to elevation in the central Sierra Nevada. Fig. 13-28, p. 379