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What is climate?

Climate is weather averaged over time.

What is climatology?

The study of climate.

What determines climatic regions?

Areas with similar long-term weather statistics (temperature + precipitation).

What do climates influence?

Ecosystems (e.g., forest, savanna, desert, tundra).

What are the six basic climate categories?

Tropical, Mesothermal, Microthermal, Polar, Highland, Dry.

What are the major components of Earth’s climate system?

Insolation, energy balance, temperature, air pressure, air masses, precipitation.

What is genetic classification?

Grouping climates based on causes (e.g., processes).

What is empirical classification?

Grouping climates based on observed data (temp + precipitation).

What causes consistent warmth in tropical climates?

Constant daylength and high insolation.

What brings seasonal rainfall to the tropics?

: The shifting ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone).

What is the rainfall pattern of a tropical rain forest climate?

Rainy all year; hot and wet.

How long is the rainy season in a tropical monsoon climate?

6–12 months.

How long is the rainy season in a tropical savanna climate?

: Less than 6 months.

Where do mesothermal climates occur?

Midlatitudes with mild winters.

Why does weather change frequently here?

Migrating cyclones + shifting maritime/continental air masses.

How do ocean temperatures affect mesothermal climates?

Warm east-coast waters strengthen air masses; cool west-coast waters weaken air masses.

What defines humid subtropical hot-summer climates?

Hot summers; often humid with convection thunderstorms.

What characterizes marine west coast climates?

Mild temperatures year-round; influenced by maritime air masses.

: What is the defining feature of Mediterranean climates?

Dry, warm summers and wet winters.

Where do microthermal climates occur?

Mid to high latitudes.

How does seasonality change in microthermal climates?

Stronger seasonality; colder winters and large temperature ranges.

What defines humid continental hot summer climates?

Hot summers, cold winters.

What defines this humid continental mild summer?

Mild summers and cold winters.

What is unique about subarctic climates?

Cool short summers and very cold winters

What is the main climate control in polar regions?

Low Sun altitude → very low insolation.

Why is precipitation low in polar climates?

Very low humidity — they are “frozen deserts.”

What are tundra climate temperature limits?

Warmest month > 0°C but < 10°C.

Where do tundra climates occur?

Mostly Northern Hemisphere; also high mountains.

What areas are dominated by ice-sheet climates?

Antarctica, central Greenland, and North Pole.

What are conditions like in ice-sheet climates?

Dry, frigid air; temps rarely above 0°C; very little precipitation.

: Where do dry climates typically occur?

15°–30° N/S (subtropics).

What pressure system dominates dry climates?

Subtropical high-pressure cells (descending, dry air).

What causes rain shadows?

Orographic lifting removing moisture on windward mountain slopes.

What is the difference between deserts and steppes?

Both have water shortages, but deserts are drier.

What defines hot desert climates?

Extremely dry, influenced by subtropical highs.

What defines cold desert climates?

Dry air but located farther from tropics; colder temperatures.

How does a steppe differ from a desert?

Semi-arid (less dry than desert).

Where do cold steppes occur?

Midlatitude continental interiors.