2.8 Climatic Zones

P. 75 fig. 5.1

2.8.1 Describe climatic conditions within selected zones p. 75

•  6 climate regions Each has sub-regions

2.8.1 Listing climate zones

Tropical1. Wet

2. Wet & dry

Dry1. semi-arid

2. arid

Temp. Mild winter1. Marine west coast

2. Mediteranian3. subtropical

Temp. Cold Winter1. Continental warm summer2. Continental cool summer

3. Subarctic

Polar1. Tundra2. Ice cap

Highland

Global Climatic regions

2.8.1 Tropical Climates

•  All Tropical Climates Temp. over 180C every day due to low latitude & warm ocean currents & prevailing winds.

2) Tropical wet& dry sub-region; very heavy summer rain & very dry winter due to seasonal shift in prevailing winds. (monsoon regions)

1) Tropical Wet sub-region; heavy rain all year due to hot temp & resulting convectional rain.

2.8.1 Tropical Climate graphs

Tropical wet Climograph p. 77 fig. 5.4 bottom climograph

• Precipitation in each month is high

• Temperature constant & high (19-270C)

Tropical Wet sub region

2.8.1 Tropical Climate graphs

Tropical wet & Dry Climograph p. 76 Bombay India

• Precipitation is very high in summer months and very low in winter months

• Temperature relatively constant & high (19-270C)

Tropical Wet& Dry Sub-region

2.8.1 Dry Climates •  All Dry climates receive –  < 500mm precipitation annually –  More evaporation than

precipitation –  Little vegetation & windy

1) Arid or Desert dry climates –  Occur between 10-30oN &

10-30oS –  0-250mm rain annually

2) Semi-arid Steppe dry climates –  Transition Zone

between desert & Forest

–  250-500mm rain annually

2.8.1 Dry Climate graphs

Arid /Desert Climograph p. 76 fig. 5.2 Alice springs Australia

• Precipitation in each month is low (total less than 250mm)

• Temperature may vary seasonally

Arid or Desert Climate

2.8.1 Dry Climate graphs

Semi-Arid Climograph p. 77 fig. 5.4 top left climograph

• Precipitation in each month is fairly low (total less than 500mm)

• Temperature may vary seasonally

Semi-Arid - Steppe

2.8.1 Temperate Mild winter •  Temperate Mild Winter –  Mid Latitudes –  Mild winter –  Temperature varies

with seasons

3) Marine west coast •  is farther from the

equator •  warmed by warm

ocean current

1) Mediterranean •  Limited to

Mediterranean sea area

2) Subtropical •  East coast of continents •  Close to tropics

2.8.1 Temperate Mild Winter

Summer temperatures vary but winter temps above –3oC

Temperate Mild Winter Mediterranean, Subtropical or Marine West Coast?

2.8.1 Temperate Cold Winter

Summer temperatures vary but winter temps below –3oC

Temperate Cold Winter

2.8.1 Polar Climates

Summer temperatures vary but winters warmer than –3oC

2) Tundra: summer temperature never above 10oC

1) Ice Caps: summer temperature never above 0oC

Polar Climates

2.8.2 Patterns of climatic zones

•  Globally speaking where is each climatic zone concentrated?

1.  Tropical ____

2.  Dry ____

3.  Temperate ___

4.  Polar ____

5.  Highland ____

2.8.2 Practice •  Question #2 p. 75 Part a

•  Gerogetown, Guyana

- Tropical wet

•  Bombay, India

- Tropical Wet & Dry

•  Montreal

- Temperate cold Winter

•  Alice Springs Australia

- arid/semiarid

2.8.2 Practice •  Question #2 p. 75 Part b •  Montreal & Alice Springs

have wide temperature ranges

•  Re. Temperature ; colder winter in Montreal

•  Re. precipitation; more in Montreal

•  Re. Months of summer; opposite summer months due to North & south Hemispheres

2.8.2 Practice •  Question #2 p. 75 Part c •  Different hemispheres give

opposite seasons

•  Question #2 p. 75 Part d •  Montreal = temperate cold

winter •  Alice springs = Semi-arid

•  Question #3 p. 77 is a good practice question too.