Global Climate and Climate Types Notes

Movement of Water and Air: Affects global climate through the circulation patterns of the atmosphere and ocean, influencing weather and climatic conditions.
Three-cell Model:
- Circulation divides into Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar Cells due to the Coriolis effect.
- Creates high and low-pressure zones affecting weather.
- High-pressure at 30° N/S contributes to subtropical deserts.
Pressure Belts:
- Horse Latitudes: Calm areas that lead to major deserts.
- Trade Winds: Northeast in the Northern Hemisphere, southeast in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Prevailing Westerlies: Flow from southwest to northeast in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Polar Easterlies: Flow from poles towards lower latitudes.
Jet Streams: Fast winds in the atmosphere; include subtropical and polar jet streams affecting weather patterns.

Köppen Climate Classification:
- A: Humid Tropical - Warm year-round, heavy rainfall (e.g., Tropical Rainforest).
- B: Arid - Chronic water deficiency (e.g., Deserts).
- C: Humid Mesothermal - Distinct seasons, mild winters (e.g., Humid Subtropical).
- D: Humid Microthermal - Colder with persistent snow cover (e.g., Humid Continental).
- E: Polar - Very cold with cool summers (e.g., Tundra).
- H: Highlands - Climate varies with elevation, temperature decreases with altitude.
Climate Variability:
- Climographs show average monthly temperature and precipitation.
Urban Heat Island Effect: Cities exhibit higher temperatures due to heat retention from buildings and reduced vegetation.
- Greater precipitation and cloudiness in urban areas compared to rural settings.

Urbanization impacts climate elements:
- Precipitation: 5-10% more in urban areas.
- Temperature: Annual averages can be 0.5 to 1.0°C higher in cities.
- Wind speed: 20-30% lower in urban environments than rural.
Urban Precipitation: Warm air rising from cities can lead to more precipitation relative to surrounding areas.