Climate around the world

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather: Short period (days/weeks) conditions. Climate: Long period (30 years)

What are some words to describe weather?

Sunshine, Winds, Hail, Thunderstorms, Fog

What causes weather?

Interaction of moisture, Energy from the sun, Water movement (lakes/ocean currents)

What are the two types of precipitation?

Liquid forms: drizzle, rain, mist, fog. Frozen forms: hail, sleet, snow

What is drizzle?

Fine light rain.

What is hail?

Pellets of frozen rain with diameter > 5 mm.

What is a tropical climate?

Occurs between 5°

What is a subtropical climate?

Found between 23.5° to 40° latitude, warm winters, no frost/snow, supports palms and citrus.

What is a temperate climate?

Occurs between 40° to 60° or 70° latitude, avg annual temp 10°C, deciduous forests.

What are the two types of temperate climates?

Maritime: near coasts, more rain. Continental: drier, less sea

What are the main characteristics of temperate regions?

Found between Tropics and Arctic/Antarctic Circles, Four seasons, Supports diverse crops

What is a desert climate defined by?

Less than 250 mm of rain per year

What are the three types of deserts?

Hot deserts, Cold deserts, Mild deserts

Where do most deserts occur?

Between 20° and 35° north and south of the equator

What factors contribute to the formation of desert areas?

High pressure systems, Cold ocean currents, Rain shadows

What is a semi desert climate?

Receives less precipitation than is lost by evaporation

What are the two types of semi-arid climates?

Hot and cold

Where is the hot semi arid climate located?

In the tropics and sub tropics

What characterizes the cold semi arid climate?

Tends to have cold winters and may experience snow

What is a continental climate?

Found in the center of continents between 40° and 60° north

What is the temperature range in a continental climate?

Annual temperature range is high due to lack of cooling from seas

What is the maximum average monthly temperature in a continental climate?

Around 20°C

What happens to temperatures in winter in a continental climate?

Temperatures fall below 0°C

What is the temperature range in areas without cooling effects from water bodies?

Maximum average: 20°C. Winter: below 0°C

What is the average annual rainfall in regions prone to drought?

500 mm

Where do polar climates typically occur?

Subarctic regions (60°N). North of North America, Europe, Asia

What is the average temperature in polar climates for over six months?

Below 6°C

What are the minimum winter temperatures in polar climates?

Can reach

What defines a Mediterranean climate?

Found between 32° and 41° latitude, Low annual rainfall, mostly in winter

What are the characteristics of Mediterranean summers?

Warm to hot, Winter temperatures do not fall below 0°C

What vegetation is typical in a Mediterranean climate?

Evergreen trees (pines), Deciduous trees (oaks), Fruit trees (olives, figs, citrus, grapes)

What is the meaning of the word 'tundra'?

Treeless plain

What are the two types of tundra?

Alpine tundra, Arctic tundra

What characterizes high mountain climates?

Cool to cold temperatures, Found in mountains and high plateaus

What is the temperature range in high mountain climates?

Negative 18°C to 10°C

What is the average annual precipitation in high mountain climates?

230 mm

What are the main climate classifications?

Equatorial (A), Arid (B), Warm temperate (C), Snow (D), Polar (E)

What is the highest temperature observed in a tropical climate?

Just before rainfall

When does the rainy season occur in a tropical climate?

From June to September

What are the characteristics of a desert climate?

One of the driest places, Low relative humidity, Highest percentage of sunshine, Large daily temperature range, Very low yearly rainfall

What are the characteristics of a Mediterranean climate?

Hot dry summers, Mild wet winters, High summer daily temperature range, Moderate annual rainfall, High percentage of sunshine

What is the temperature condition in a polar climate?

No summer, Nine months below freezing point (0°C)

What is measured by a thermometer?

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C)

What does a hygrometer measure?

Humidity as relative humidity (%)

What does an anemometer measure?

Wind speed in knots

What does a rain gauge measure?

Precipitation in millimeters (mm)

What are the elements of weather?

Temperature, Humidity, Wind speed, Wind direction, Precipitation

What is the Koppen Geiger classification for tropical rainforest?

Af, Tropical rainforest

What is the Koppen Geiger classification for desert climate?

BW, Dry arid desert

What is the Koppen Geiger classification for Mediterranean climate?

Cs, Mediterranean

What is the climate type characterized by humid subtropical precipitation?

Cfa

What does Cs represent in climate classification?

Mediterranean Dry summer and winter rainfall

What does Cfb indicate?

Marine Humid climate and short dry summer

What is the characteristic of continental climates?

Warm to cool summers with cold winters

What does Dfc signify in climate classification?

Wet all seasons

Where are polar climates primarily found?

North America, Europe, Asia, Greenland & Antarctica

What defines ET in climate classification?

Polar tundra with permafrost

What is represented by EF in climate types?

Polar ice caps covered by snow and ice

What does the climograph for Mangalore, India show?

Tropical monsoon climate

What climate does Tindouf, Algeria represent?

Desert climate

What is the climate type of San Francisco, USA?

Mediterranean climate

What does the climograph for Barrow, Alaska illustrate?

Polar climate with year

What climate type is represented by Iquitos, Peru?

Equatorial climate

What influences the temperature in tropical moist climates?

Latitude: 10°S to 25°N

What factors influence tropical wet and dry climates?

Distance from the sea, trade winds

What causes desert climates?

Subtropical high pressure belt

What is the latitude range for moderate climates?

30° to 50° N and S

What defines high latitude climates?

Polar air mass

What is a characteristic of tundra climates?

Latitude: 60° to 75° N

What is typical of highland climates?

Very cold with snow; altitude influences climate