Ch. 26.2 Climate Zones

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Ch. 26.2 Climate Zones
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• Three main climate zones on earth tropical
  climates around the equator, middle latitude
  climates, and polar climates.

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Tropical Climates

• Avg. monthly temp. of at least 18o C year round.
• Different climates within climate zones based on
  annual precipitation.
• Tropical Rain Forestwithin 5 to 10 degrees of
  the equator dense vegetation, over 250 cm of
  rain a year, yearly temperature range of about 3
  degrees C.

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• Tropical Desert Climate20 to 30 degrees N. and
  S. latitude influenced by sinking, warming, dry
  air annual rainfall less than 25 cm.

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• Tropical Savanna Climatebetween tropical rain
  forests and tropical deserts.
• Shifting precipitation belts result in wet
  summers and dry winters.
• Open grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs.

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Polar Climates

• Average monthly temp. never higher than 10
  degrees C.
• Occur between 55 degrees latitude and the poles.
• Subarctic Climatebetween 55 and 65 degrees N.
  latitude.
• Yearly precipitation of 25 to 50 cm.

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• Evergreen forests can grow due to low
  evaporation.
• Severe winters and short summers.
• Large annual temperature range.

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• Tundra Climatenamed for tundra
  vegetationmosses, lichens, small flowering
  plantsno trees.
• Lower temperature range due to moderating
  influence of nearby oceans.
• Warmest months average only 4 degrees C.
• 25 cm precipitation yearly, mostly snow.

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Middle Latitude Climates

• Latitude ranges from contiguous United States to
  southern Canada. Uneven precipitation in
  different regions result in several different
  climates.
• Marine West-Coast Climate40 to 60 degrees N.
  latitude in Pacific NW. Cool moist air from the
  ocean causes 60 to 150 cm precipitation. Temp.
  range from 7 to 20 degree C.

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• Mediterranean Climatebetween 30 and 40 degrees
  latitude. Wet winters and dry summers. 40 cm
  avg. precipitation. Temp. range from 14 to 21
  degrees C.
• Middle-Latitude Desertless than 25 cm
  precipitation, and cold winters. Shrubs and
  cacti. 35 to 50 degrees N. latitude.

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• Steppe Climatesame latitude as mid latitude
  deserts, but at higher elevations. 25 to 50 cm
  precipitation / yr. Grass type vegetation, and
  high temp. range.

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• Humid Continentalwarm humid summers with very
  cold winters. Violent weather conditions due to
  colliding air masses.
• Humid Subtropicalinfluenced by moist ocean air
  in summer. Heavy rains and hurricanes. Southeast
  USA.

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