Latitude Zones and Climate MAD 2011

What is Latitude? Latitudes are lines that run east to west around the globe and measure distance north and south of the equator. (HINT: think of the latitude lines as the rungs on a ladder – you can use them to climb up the earth OR sat rhymes with lat – I sat on the latitude lines)

Weather vs. Climate Weather is the day to day changes in the air (weather is what you get) Climate is weather over a long period of time (climate is what you expect)

4 things that affect Climate 1. Latitude – has to do with direct sunlight 2. Wind – makes a place milder than it would be 3. Water – makes a place milder than it would be 4. Elevation – it is colder the higher up you go

Color Latitude Zones Red – between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn Blue – above and below the Arctic and Antarctic Green – between the tropic and polar zones

Latitudes Low Latitude Middle Latitude High Latitude

Low Latitude Low latitudes are the low numbers. The climate is usually always warm or hot. Also known as the Tropics because they are between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn.

Middle Latitude Middle latitudes are the middle numbers. It is easier to tell when the seasons change. Temperatures range from cold to hot depending on the season. Also known as the Moderate or Termperate Zone

High Latitude High latitudes are the high numbers. They are mostly cold or freezing all year. Also known as the Polar Zones because they are at each pole.

ClimateDescriptionVegetationLocation Tropical Dry Moderate * Continental Polar Highland

ClimateDescriptionVegetationLocation TropicalHot and wetTropical rainforest Low latitudes Dry Moderate * Continental Polar Highland

Tropical Climates

ClimateDescriptionVegetationLocation TropicalHot and wetTropical rainforest Low latitudes DryHot with little rainfall. (Desert) Very little vegetation Low latitudes Moderate * Continental Polar Highland

Dry Climates

ClimateDescriptionVegetationLocation TropicalHot and wetTropical rainforest Low latitudes DryHot with little rainfall. (Desert) Very little vegetation Low latitudes Moderate *Good rainfall, season changes hardly ever falls below 0° Wide variety of vegetation Middle latitudes Continental Polar Highland

Moderate Climates

ClimateDescriptionVegetationLocation TropicalHot and wetTropical rainforest Low latitudes DryHot with little rainfall. (Desert) Very little vegetation Low latitudes Moderate *Good rainfall, season changes hardly ever falls below 0° Wide variety of vegetation Middle latitudes ContinentalSummers are warm to hot. Winters can be very cold. Good rainfall. Grasslands and forest. Middle Latitudes Polar Highland

Continental Climates

ClimateDescriptionVegetationLocation TropicalHot and wetTropical rainforest Low latitudes DryHot with little rainfall. (Desert) Very little vegetation Low latitudes Moderate *Good rainfall, season changes hardly ever falls below 0° Wide variety of vegetation Middle latitudes ContinentalSummers are warm to hot. Winters can be very cold. Good rainfall. Grasslands and forest. Middle Latitudes PolarCold all year long. Some grasses and low shrubs in some areas. High Latitudes Highland

Polar Climates

ClimateDescriptionVegetationLocation TropicalHot and wetTropical rainforestLow latitudes DryHot with little rainfall. (Desert) Very little vegetation Low latitudes Moderate *Good rainfall, season changes hardly ever falls below 0° Wide variety of vegetation Middle latitudes ContinentalSummers are warm to hot. Winters can be very cold. Good rainfall. Grasslands and forest. Middle Latitudes PolarCold all year long.Some grasses and low shrubs in some areas. High Latitudes HighlandTemperatures vary depending on elevation Vegetation decrease with elevation Anywhere there are mountains

Highland Climates

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