Climate Regions

Climate: is the average of all weather conditions if An area over a long period of time.  The  The main factors that influence temperature are latitude, altitude, distance from a large body of water, and ocean currents.  Latitude:  Latitude: is the distance from the equator, measured in degrees   Earth’s surface can be divided into 3 temperature zones.

 Tropical Zone Located near the equator between 23.5 north latitude and 23.5 south latitude. Located near the equator between 23.5 north latitude and 23.5 south latitude. It receives direct or nearly direct sunlight all year around. It receives direct or nearly direct sunlight all year around. Climate is warm. Climate is warm.  Polar Zone It extends from 66.5 to 90 north or south latitude. It extends from 66.5 to 90 north or south latitude. The sun’s rays strike at a lower angle neat the north and south poles. The sun’s rays strike at a lower angle neat the north and south poles. Climate is cold. Climate is cold.  Temperate Zone It is located between the tropical and polar zones. It is located between the tropical and polar zones. Located 23.5 to 66.5 north or south latitude. Located 23.5 to 66.5 north or south latitude. In the summer, the sun’s rays strike the zone more directly. In the summer, the sun’s rays strike the zone more directly. In the winter, the rays strike at a lower angle. In the winter, the rays strike at a lower angle. Climate is warm to hot in the summer and cool to cold in the winter. Climate is warm to hot in the summer and cool to cold in the winter.

 Altitude:  Why does a mountain have polar caps if they are located in the tropical zone?  Temperature of the troposphere decreases about 6.5 degrees Celsius for every 1km increase in altitude. Therefore highland areas everywhere have cool climates no matter what their latitude.

Distance from a Large Body of Water  Water  Water heats up more slowly than land; it also cools down more slowly. Therefore, winds from the ocean keep coastal regions from reaching extremes of hot and cold.

Ocean Currents  Warm  Warm ocean currents carry warm water from the tropics toward the poles. Cold currents bring cold water from the polar zones toward the equator. The surface of the water warms or cools the air above it. The warmed or cooled air then moves over the nearby land. So a warm current brings warm air to the land it touches. A cold current brings cool air.

Humid Tropical FFFFound near the equator TTTTemperature is always 64 degrees F or higher.

Tropical Wet  Always hot and humid  Heavy rain, at least 6cm a month all year around.  Lush vegetation  Ex. Amazon rain forest in South America.

Tropical Wet-Dry  Always hot  Alternating wet and dry seasons  Heavy rainfall  Tropical grassland  Ex. Miami, Florida

Dry EEEEvaporation is greater than precipitation. MMMMay be cold or hot IIIInland from the ocean

Desert DDDDesert (hot and sandy or cold and rocky) GGGGets less than 25cm of rain all year IIIIncludes hottest places on Earth. IIIIn most deserts high daytime temperatures lead to rapid evaporation. EEEEx. Phoenix, Arizona

Semiarid  Edge of the desert prairies or grasslands  Great plains  Receive about cm of precipitation all year. Ex. Denver, Colorado

Moist Mid-latitude with Mild Winters AAAAverage Temperature 50 degrees F or above in the warm months BBBBetween degrees F in the coldest months

Mediterranean WWWWarm, dry summers RRRRainy winters DDDDense shrubs and small trees OOOOlives and grapes SSSSome coastal areas have cool summers and frequent fog. EEEEx. San Fransico, California

Humid Subtropical  Hot, muggy summers  Cool Mild winters  Southeast United States  Mix forests  Precipitation fairly even throughout the year.  Ex. Charlotte, North carolina

Marine West Coast MMMMild Winters (rainy) CCCCool summers MMMModerate precipitation due to coastal region. CCCCone bearing trees LLLLow clouds and fog. EEEEx. Seattle, Washington

Mid-latitude with Severe winters AAAAverage Temperature 50 degree F or above in warm months 22226 degrees F or below in the coldest months

Humid Continental  Bitterly cold winters  Warm humid summers  Moderate rainfall year around  Northeastern United States  Our Climate

Subartic  Summer short and cool  Winter long and bitterly cold  Light precipitation in summer  Ex. Russia, Canada, and Alaska

Polar AAAAverage Temperature is always below 26 degrees F even in the warm months NNNNear Poles

Ice Cap  Average Temperature is always at or below freezing.  Covered with snow and ice  Intense cold makes the air dry  Ex. Greenland and Antarctica.

Tundra  Short cold summers  Bitterly cold winters  Frozen soil (no tree or plant growth)  Warmest temperature about 26 degrees F.

Highlands  Temperature  Temperature drops as altitude increases mountain region can contain many climates.  Mountain  Mountain can have a year round covering of ice and snow at their peaks  Ex.  Ex. Rocky Mountains