Climate Regions

Scientists Classify Climate According to Two Major Factors Temperature Precipitation

Six Main Climate Regions Polar Dry Humid Tropical Moist-Mid Latitude- Mild Winters Moist-Mid Latitude- Severe Winters Highlands

Polar Climate Subdivisions Tundra – Always cold; Short, cool summers; Bitterly cold winters.

Polar Climate Subdivisions Icecap – Always below freezing ( At or below 0º Celsius).

Dry Climate Subdivisions Deserts- Less than 25 centimeters of rain; Hot and Sandy, Cold or Rocky.

Dry Climate Subdivisions Semi-Arid – Dry; 25-50 centimeters of precipitation per year.

Humid Tropical Subdivisions Tropical Wet – Always hot and humid; Heavy rainfall; 6 Centimeters per month all year long.

Humid Tropical Subdivisions Tropical Wet - and - Dry – Always hot; Alternating wet and dry seasons; Heavy rainfall in the wet season.

Moist Mid-Latitude, Mild Winters Humid Subtropical – Hot summers; Cool winters

Moist Mid-Latitude, Mild Winters Marine West Coast – Mild winters; Cool summers; Moderate precipitation all year.

Moist Mid-Latitude, Mild Winters Mediterranean – Warm; Dry summers; Rainy winters.

Moist Mid-Latitude, Severe Winters Humid Continental – Hot, humid summers; Cold winters; moderate precipitation all year.

Moist Mid-Latitude, Severe Winters Subarctic – Short, cool summers; Long, cold winters; Light precipitation mainly in summer.

Highlands Highlands – Cooler and wetter than nearby lowlands. (Temperature decreases with altitude)