What is the rainfall regime in the tropical zone. Tropical and subtropical belts - winds, precipitation, temperature

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Equatorial climate zone

occupies the area of ​​the Congo River basin and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Africa, the Amazon River basin in South America, the Sunda Islands off the coast of Southeast Asia. The gap in the climatic zone on the eastern shores of the continents is explained by the dominance of subtropical baric maxima over the oceans. The greatest flow of air goes along the equatorial periphery of baric maxima; it captures the eastern coasts of the continents. In the equatorial belt, humidification of the tropical air brought by the trade winds takes place. Equatorial air is formed at reduced pressure, light winds and high temperatures. The total radiation value of 580-670 kJ/cm2 per year is slightly lowered due to the high cloudiness and humidity of the equatorial latitudes. The radiation balance on the mainland is 330 kJ/cm2 per year, on the ocean it is 420-500 kJ/cm2 per year.

At the equator, equatorial VMs dominate throughout the year. The average air temperature ranges from +25 to +28○С, high relative humidity, 70-90%. In equatorial latitudes, on both sides of the equator, an intratropical convergence zone is distinguished, which is characterized by the convergence of the trade winds of the two hemispheres, which causes powerful ascending air currents. But convection develops not only for this reason. The heated air, saturated with water vapor, rises, condenses, forms cumulonimbus clouds, from which showers fall in the afternoon. In this belt annual amount rainfall exceeds 2000 mm. There are places where the amount of precipitation increases up to 5000 mm. High temperatures throughout the year and a large number of rainfall creates conditions for the development of rich vegetation on land - moist equatorial forests - giley (in South America, wet forests are called selva, in Africa - jungle).

Continental and oceanic types of equatorial climate differ slightly.

The climate of the subequatorial belt

confined to the vast expanses of the Brazilian Highlands, Central Africa (to the north, east and south of the Congo Basin), Asia (on the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas), Northern Australia.

The total solar radiation is about 750 kJ/cm2 per year, the radiation balance is 290 kJ/cm2 per year on land and up to 500 kJ/cm2 per year on the ocean.

The subequatorial climatic zone is characterized by monsoon air circulation: air moves from the tropical latitudes of the winter hemisphere as a winter dry monsoon (trade wind), after crossing the equator it transforms into a summer wet monsoon. A characteristic feature of this belt is the change of air masses by season: equatorial air dominates in summer, tropical air dominates in winter. There are two seasons - wet (summer) and dry (winter). In the summer season, the climate differs slightly from the equatorial one: high humidity, abundant precipitation caused by ascending currents of equatorial air. The total amount of precipitation is 1500 mm; on the windward slopes of the mountains, their amount increases sharply (Cherrapunji - 12,660 mm). In the winter season, conditions change dramatically with the advent of dry tropical air: hot, dry weather sets in, grasses burn out, trees shed their leaves. Inside the continents and on their western shores, the vegetation cover of the subequatorial belt is represented by savannahs, and humid equatorial forests dominate on the eastern shores.

Tropical climate zone

in the Southern Hemisphere it spreads in a continuous band, expanding over the oceans. The oceans are dominated throughout the year by constant baric maxima, in which tropical WMs form. In the Northern Hemisphere, the tropical belt is torn over Indo-China and Hindustan; The break in the belt is explained by the fact that the dominance of tropical VMs is not observed throughout the year. In summer, equatorial air penetrates into the South Asian Low; in winter, moderate (polar) VMs invade far to the south from the Asian High.

The annual value of total radiation on the continents is 750-849 kJ/cm2 per year (in the Northern Hemisphere up to 920 kJ/cm2 per year), on the ocean 670 kJ/cm2 per year; radiation balance - 250 kJ/cm2 per year on the mainland and 330-420 kJ/cm2 per year on the ocean.

In the tropical climate zone, tropical VMs dominate throughout the year, which are characterized by high temperatures. The average temperature of the warmest month exceeds +30○С, on some days the temperature rises to +50○С, and the Earth's surface heats up to +80○С (the maximum temperature of +58○С was recorded on the northern coast of Africa). Due to the increased pressure and downward air currents, there is almost no condensation of water vapor, so there is very little precipitation in most of the tropical belt - less than 250 mm. This causes the formation of the greatest deserts in the world - the Sahara and Kalahari in Africa, the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, Australia.

In the tropical zone, the climate is not dry everywhere. The climate of the eastern coasts (trade winds blow from the ocean) is different big amount precipitation - 1500 mm (Great Antilles, east coast of the Brazilian Plateau, east coast of Africa in the Southern Hemisphere). The climate features are also explained by the influence of warm currents approaching the eastern shores of the continents. The climate of the western coasts (called "garua" - drizzling fog) is developed on the western shores of the Northern and South America, Africa, in Australia it is weakly expressed. The peculiarity of the climate is that in the absence of precipitation (in Atacama 0 mm per year), the relative humidity of the air is 85-90%. The formation of the climate of the western coasts is influenced by a constant baric maximum on the ocean and cold currents off the coast of the continents.

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1. Take a map to the climate zones of the world, back up the names of the main climate zones.

African climate

What is the difference between the main and transitional climate zones?

2. Sign the names of the continents. Indicate which of them is the coldest climate, which is the hottest, which is the driest, which is wet. What continent is represented in all climatic zones?

Select areas where the annual amplitude of air temperature can reach the highest values, and if it is equal to O "C.

fourth

Indicate the areas of the world where the winds prevail during the year (blue arrows) and where the trade winds are (red arrows).

5. Mark the boundaries of the sunbeams on the map and label their names. What is the reason for uneven lighting and heating earth's surface?

6. Mark the bands of high and low atmospheric pressure with indices "B" and "H" on the map.

Where does the rain fall? Mark the areas with the most rainfall.

The Antarctic belt is the southern natural geographical belt of the Earth, including Antarctica with adjacent islands and the ocean waters washing it.

Usually the boundary of the Antarctic belt is drawn along the isotherm 5 deg. From the warmest month (January or February).

What is the precipitation pattern in the equatorial climate zone?

The Antarctic belt is characterized by: - ​​negative or low positive values ​​of the radiation balance; - Antarctic climate with low air temperatures; - long polar night; - dominance on land icy deserts; - Significant ice cover of the ocean.

In Russia and on the territory of the former USSR, a classification of climate types was used, created in 1956 by the famous Soviet climatologist B.P. Alisov. This classification takes into account the features of atmospheric circulation. According to this classification, four main climatic zones are distinguished for each hemisphere of the Earth: equatorial, tropical, temperate, and polar (in the northern hemisphere - arctic, in the southern hemisphere - antarctic).

http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate

tropical belt

Climate and climatic resources.

The main characteristics of the climate: air temperature,

the amount of precipitation and their distribution by season,

evaporation, moisture coefficient.

1) According to figure 31 of the textbook, determine how the radiation is distributed. Indicate, using the maps of the atlas, how the amount of radiation changes from north to south along the meridian 60 ° E.

2) What areas of Russia receive the most solar radiation?

Name them, indicate the amount of radiation received (in kcal / cm2 ° year).

Answer: The southern regions receive the greatest amount of radiation - 110 - 120 kcal / cm2 ° year

+ What areas of Russia receive the least amount of solar radiation?

Answer: The least - the northern regions - 50-60 kcal / cm2 ° year

3) Mark on the contour map of Russia the boundaries of climatic

belts and sign their names.

4) Determine which of the climatic zones occupies the largest area in Russia.

+ What climate zone do you live in?

Answer: temperate zone

5) According to the drawings of the textbook, establish how they change climatic conditions along the belts.

a) track the course of changes in the average temperatures of January and July

from North to South.

The average January temperatures are 0…-5°С —

Kaliningrad and Ciscaucasia. -40…-50°С in Yakutia. July temperatures

from -1°С in the north to +24…25°С in the Caspian region.

b) determine the most and least humid areas

the most humid are the mountains of the Caucasus and Altai, south Far East,

the least - the Caspian lowland.

c) make a conclusion about the causes of climate change

Changes in climatic conditions are influenced by the dominance

air masses, precipitation and evaporation

d) explain the influence of climatic conditions on other components

nature, human life and activity

+ In what zone do you think the climatic conditions are most favorable for human life and activity?

6) Specify the properties of air masses dominating the territory of Russia.

7) Based on the climate map, determine the total solar radiation and the moisture coefficient for individual areas.

Sources of information: atlas maps, textbook.

8) Fill the table.

Note which of the adverse climatic phenomena are typical for your area.

9) Fill it out yourself.

10) The main characteristics of the climate and their seasonal changes are shown on climate diagrams.

According to the diagrams, indicate and explain the features of the climate of the territories.

Characteristics of climatic zones (table)
There are 7 types of climates on the planet. They are divided into two types: permanent (basic) and transitional.
Permanent climate zone- A dog where one air dominates throughout the year.

transition- written with the prefix "sub" they are replaced by two air masses of the year: hot summer (the one closer to the equator), cold winter (those closer to half). In December and February, air masses move to the south, and June - August - to the north of the planet.
Name of climate zones: 1) Equatorial climate zone-Type: permanent core - location: located on both sides of the equator from 5 ° to 8 ° north latitude to 4 ° -11 ° south latitude, between subequatorial bands.

-description: The prevalence of equatorial air masses during the year. Constantly high temperatures (on the plains 24 ° - 28 ° C). Weak unstable winds. This is typical of the presence low pressure with a constant influx of wind to trade and a tendency to general air rises and the rapid transformation of tropical air into moist equatorial air.

Heavy rainfall throughout the year. Constant warm and humid equatorial climate, caused by a large influx of sunlight.
2) Tropical climate zone-Type: constant core -location: The dog is in tropical latitudes. You can clearly recognize the northern and southern tropical belts of the Earth. description: In the tropical zone - the only annual tropical air mass.

This, however, creates an area of ​​increasing pressure on the climate zone with clear weather throughout the year. Thus, time in the tropics depends entirely on the height of the sun above the horizon. In the summer months, when the sun rises to the zenith, the temperature in the tropics rises above +30 ° C. In winter, when the sun is above the horizon, it is not so high, the temperature in the tropics drops, and on cold winter nights it can drop below freezing temperatures.

Sudden changes from heat to cold during the day and year and low rainfall have resulted in a tropical climate zone formed by natural desert and semi-desert areas of very rare species plants and animals.
3) temperate climate zone-Type: permanent primary location: It is located between 40 and 60 latitudes, bordering on the subtropical and subarctic (in the southern hemisphere - subantarctic) climatic zone.

-description: The planet has a northern and southern temperate zone, but the southern hemisphere has little to no effect on the continent. since the temperature of a temperate air mass varies with the seasons of the year, a clear change in the temperate zone. All seasons are very pronounced: spring changes snow, is replaced by hot summer and autumn.

The temperatures of the temperate zone are very important. In fact, the border with subtropical regions practically coincides with the winter isotherm of 0 ° C. Negative temperatures are observed in the temperate zone. IN characteristic zone belt in winter creates a snow cover.
4) The climatic zone of the Arctic (Antarctic)-Type: constant core -location: The dog occupies the polar regions of the Earth. The largest area is occupied by the Antarctic belt, which extends over almost the entire continent.

In the northern hemisphere, located in the far north of Eurasia and North America, including the Baffin Islands, Greenland, the Taimir Peninsula, new earth, Svalbard Islands in the Arctic Ocean.

—description: Throughout the year, one arctic air mass dominates in the southern hemisphere - Antarctica. For almost a year in the climatic zone of the Arctic, the air temperature does not rise above 0 ° C and continues to remain negative with further removal into the field.

A severe winter is especially noticeable in Antarctica. Precipitation is very small.

What is the prevailing weather in the tropics?

The dog occupies the natural zone of the Arctic and Antarctic deserts. Most of it is covered with a huge kilogram of glacial glacier shells. At many low temperatures in these areas, due to the fact that the sun never rises high above the horizon in the polar latitudes, its rays "glide" over the surface of the earth and heat it even during the polar day, when the polar night (and the poles last half a year ), the surface of the planet does not receive heat from the sun at all, and it cools down to -70 -80 ° C.

test for geography "Climate of Russia"

geography test "Climate of Russia" 1. The degree of total radiation received by the territory is lower if ... the weather
1) clear 2) cloudy 3) cloudy
second

The structure of precipitation in most regions of Russia is characterized by …
1) winter maximum
2) uniform distribution throughout the year
3) summer maximum
3. The summer maximum of precipitation is most pronounced in the conditions of ... climate
1) subarctic 3) sharply continental
2) continental 4) monsoon
4. In a temperate climate zone, when you move from east to west...
1) average January temperatures and precipitation
2) Drop in temperature and precipitation in January
3) Increasing temperature in January and precipitation
4) January temperatures and precipitation
fifth

The largest annual temperature amplitude and the minimum amount of precipitation are typical for …
1) temperate continental climate type 2) continental climate type3) acute continental climate type 4) monsoonal climate type6. The Ob River basin is a type of climate
1) temperate continental 2) continental 3) suddenly continental 4) monsun7.

Precipitation in tropical bands

The greatest influence on the climate of Russia has ... the ocean
1) Quiet 2) Atlantic 3) Northern Arctic 8. Cyclones in Russia most often determine the weather ...
1) Eastern European plane 2) Eastern and North-Eastern Siberia 3) Western Siberia 4) Eastern Siberia9.

The weary influence of the Atlantic Ocean is more pronounced...
1) summer 2) winter 3) during the transitional seasons of the year10. The most severe frosts are observed when ... the weather
1) cyclone 2) anticyclone 3) frontal 11. Most high level snow cover in Russia is typical for …
1) western slopes of the Urals, 2) eastern coast of Kamchatka, 3) Black Sea coast Caucasus, 4) northeastern Siberia. For economic activity, climatic conditions are best in … parts of Russia
1) Northwest 2) Northeast 3) Southwest 4) Southeast 13.

Drought and dry winds occur in…weather conditions
1) cyclone 2) anticyclone 3) frontal14. The climatic conditions on the territory of the country are unfavorable for the development of the economy due to …
1) lack of moisture 2) heat deficit 3) excess humidity 4) excess heat15.

The coldest temperatures in January...
1) in the European part 2) in Western Siberia 3) in northeastern Siberia 4) in the Far East

1. 2) cloudy

2. 3) summer maximum

3. 4) Monsoon

fourth

5. 3) extreme continental climate

6. 3) suddenly continental

7.2) Atlantic

8.1) East European Plain

9. 2) in winter

10.2) anticyclone

11.2) east coast of Kamchatka

12) southwest

13. 2) anticyclone

14. 2) heat deficit

15.3) in the northeast of Siberia

The Atlantic Ocean has the greatest influence on the climate of Russia

Equatorial climate zone

occupies the area of ​​the Congo River basin and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Africa, the Amazon River basin in South America, the Sunda Islands off the coast of Southeast Asia. The gap in the climatic zone on the eastern shores of the continents is explained by the dominance of subtropical baric maxima over the oceans. The greatest flow of air goes along the equatorial periphery of baric maxima; it captures the eastern coasts of the continents. In the equatorial belt, humidification of the tropical air brought by the trade winds takes place. Equatorial air is formed at reduced pressure, light winds and high temperatures. The total radiation value of 580-670 kJ/cm 2 per year is slightly reduced due to the high cloudiness and humidity of the equatorial latitudes. The radiation balance on the mainland is 330 kJ/cm2 per year, on the ocean it is 420-500 kJ/cm2 per year.

At the equator, equatorial VMs dominate throughout the year. The average air temperature ranges from +25 to +28 ○ C, high relative humidity, 70-90%, remains. In equatorial latitudes, on both sides of the equator, an intratropical convergence zone is distinguished, which is characterized by the convergence of the trade winds of the two hemispheres, which causes powerful ascending air currents. But convection develops not only for this reason. The heated air, saturated with water vapor, rises, condenses, forms cumulonimbus clouds, from which showers fall in the afternoon. In this belt, the annual rainfall exceeds 2000 mm. There are places where the amount of precipitation increases up to 5000 mm. High temperatures throughout the year and a large amount of precipitation create conditions for the development of rich vegetation on land - humid equatorial forests - giley (in South America, wet forests are called selva, in Africa - jungle).

Continental and oceanic types of equatorial climate differ slightly.

The climate of the subequatorial belt

confined to the vast expanses of the Brazilian Highlands, Central Africa (to the north, east and south of the Congo Basin), Asia (on the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas), Northern Australia.

The total solar radiation is about 750 kJ/cm 2 per year, the radiation balance is 290 kJ/cm 2 per year on land and up to 500 kJ/cm 2 per year on the ocean.

The subequatorial climatic zone is characterized by monsoon air circulation: air moves from the tropical latitudes of the winter hemisphere as a winter dry monsoon (trade wind), after crossing the equator it transforms into a summer wet monsoon. A characteristic feature of this belt is the change of air masses by season: equatorial air dominates in summer, tropical air dominates in winter. There are two seasons - wet (summer) and dry (winter). In the summer season, the climate differs slightly from the equatorial one: high humidity, abundant precipitation caused by ascending currents of equatorial air. The total amount of precipitation is 1500 mm; on the windward slopes of the mountains, their amount increases sharply (Cherrapunji - 12,660 mm). In the winter season, conditions change dramatically with the advent of dry tropical air: hot, dry weather sets in, grasses burn out, trees shed their leaves. Inside the continents and on their western shores, the vegetation cover of the subequatorial belt is represented by savannahs, and humid equatorial forests dominate on the eastern shores.

Tropical climate zone

in the Southern Hemisphere it spreads in a continuous band, expanding over the oceans. The oceans are dominated throughout the year by constant baric maxima, in which tropical WMs form. In the Northern Hemisphere, the tropical belt is torn over Indo-China and Hindustan; The break in the belt is explained by the fact that the dominance of tropical VMs is not observed throughout the year. In summer, equatorial air penetrates into the South Asian Low; in winter, moderate (polar) VMs invade far to the south from the Asian High.

The annual value of total radiation on the continents is 750-849 kJ / cm 2 per year (in the Northern Hemisphere up to 920 kJ / cm 2 per year), on the ocean 670 kJ / cm 2 per year; radiation balance - 250 kJ/cm 2 per year on the mainland and 330-420 kJ/cm 2 per year on the ocean.

In the tropical climate zone, tropical VMs dominate throughout the year, which are characterized by high temperatures. The average temperature of the warmest month exceeds +30 ○ C, on some days the temperature rises to +50 ○ C, and the Earth's surface heats up to +80 ○ C (the maximum temperature of +58 ○ C was recorded on the northern coast of Africa). Due to the increased pressure and downward air currents, there is almost no condensation of water vapor, so there is very little precipitation in most of the tropical belt - less than 250 mm. This causes the formation of the greatest deserts in the world - the Sahara and Kalahari in Africa, the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, Australia.

Climate- this is a long-term weather regime characteristic of a particular area. It manifests itself in a regular change of all types of weather observed in this area.

Climate influences living and inanimate nature. are closely related to climate water bodies, soil, vegetation, animals. Separate sectors of the economy, especially Agriculture are also highly dependent on climate.

The climate is formed as a result of the interaction of many factors: the amount of solar radiation entering the earth's surface; atmospheric circulation; the nature of the underlying surface. At the same time, climate-forming factors themselves depend on the geographical conditions of a given area, primarily on geographical latitude.

The geographic latitude of the area determines the angle of incidence of the sun's rays, the receipt of a certain amount of heat. However, obtaining heat from the Sun also depends on the proximity of the ocean. In places far from the oceans, there is little precipitation, and the mode of precipitation is uneven (in the warm period more than in the cold), cloudiness is low, winters are cold, summers are warm, and the annual temperature amplitude is large. Such a climate is called continental, as it is typical of places located in the depths of continents. A maritime climate is formed above the water surface, which is characterized by: a smooth course of air temperature, with small daily and annual temperature amplitudes, high cloudiness, a uniform and fairly large amount of precipitation.

The climate is greatly influenced by sea ​​currents. Warm currents warm the atmosphere in the areas where they flow. So, for example, the warm North Atlantic current creates favorable conditions for the growth of forests in the southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, while most of the island of Greenland, which lies approximately at the same latitudes as the Scandinavian Peninsula, but is outside the zone of influence of the warm current, all year round covered with a thick layer of ice.

plays an important role in shaping the climate relief. You already know that with the rise of the terrain for each kilometer, the air temperature drops by 5-6 ° C. Therefore, on the alpine slopes of the Pamirs, the average annual temperature is 1 ° C, although it is located just north of the tropic.

The location of mountain ranges has a great influence on the climate. For example, Caucasian mountains they hold back moist sea winds, and on their windward slopes facing the Black Sea, much more precipitation falls than on their leeward slopes. At the same time, the mountains serve as an obstacle to the cold northern winds.

There is a dependence of climate and prevailing winds. On the territory of the East European Plain, westerly winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean prevail for almost the entire year, so winters in this area are relatively mild.

The regions of the Far East are under the influence of monsoons. In winter, winds constantly blow from the depths of the mainland. They are cold and very dry, so there is little rainfall. In summer, on the contrary, the winds bring a lot of moisture from the Pacific Ocean. In autumn, when the wind from the ocean subsides, the weather is usually sunny and calm. This best time years in this area.

Climate characteristics are statistical inferences from long-term weather records (in temperate latitudes, 25-50-year series are used; in the tropics, their duration may be shorter), primarily over the following main meteorological elements: atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature and air humidity, cloudiness and precipitation. They also take into account the duration of solar radiation, the visibility range, the temperature of the upper layers of soil and water bodies, the evaporation of water from the earth's surface into the atmosphere, the height and condition of the snow cover, various atmospheric phenomena and ground-based hydrometeors (dew, ice, fog, thunderstorms, snowstorms, etc.) . In the XX century. The climatic indicators included characteristics of the elements of the heat balance of the earth's surface, such as total solar radiation, radiation balance, heat exchange between the earth's surface and the atmosphere, and heat consumption for evaporation. Complex indicators are also used, i.e., functions of several elements: various coefficients, factors, indices (for example, continentality, aridity, moisture), etc.

Climatic zones

Long-term average values ​​of meteorological elements (annual, seasonal, monthly, daily, etc.), their sums, frequencies, etc. are called climate standards: the corresponding values ​​for individual days, months, years, etc. are considered as a deviation from these norms.

Climate maps are called climatic(temperature distribution map, pressure distribution map, etc.).

Depending on the temperature conditions, prevailing air masses and winds, climatic zones.

The main climatic zones are:

• equatorial;
• two tropical;
• two moderate;
• arctic and antarctic.

Between the main belts there are transitional climatic zones: subequatorial, subtropical, subarctic, subantarctic. IN transitional belts air masses change with the seasons. They come here from neighboring zones, so the climate of the subequatorial zone in summer is similar to the climate of the equatorial zone, and in winter - to the tropical climate; the climate of the subtropical zones in summer is similar to the climate of the tropical, and in winter - with the climate of the temperate zones. This is due to the seasonal movement of atmospheric pressure belts over the globe following the Sun: in summer - to the north, in winter - to the south.

Climatic zones are divided into climatic regions . So, for example, in the tropical zone of Africa, areas of tropical dry and tropical humid climate are distinguished, and in Eurasia, the subtropical zone is divided into areas of the Mediterranean, continental and monsoon climate. In the mountainous areas is formed altitudinal zonality because the air temperature decreases with altitude.

Diversity of Earth's climates

The classification of climates provides an ordered system for characterizing climate types, their zoning and mapping. Let us give examples of climate types prevailing over vast territories (Table 1).

Arctic and Antarctic climate zones

Antarctic and arctic climate dominates in Greenland and Antarctica, where the average monthly temperatures are below 0 °C. Into the dark winter time During the year, these regions receive absolutely no solar radiation, although there are twilights and auroras. Even in summer, the sun's rays fall on the earth's surface at a slight angle, which reduces the heating efficiency. Most of the incoming solar radiation is reflected by the ice. In both summer and winter, low temperatures prevail in the elevated regions of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The climate of the interior of Antarctica is much colder than the climate of the Arctic, since the southern mainland is large and high, and the Arctic Ocean moderates the climate, despite the wide distribution of pack ice. In summer, during short periods of warming, drift ice sometimes melts. Precipitation on ice sheets falls in the form of snow or small particles of ice mist. Inland regions receive only 50-125 mm of precipitation annually, but more than 500 mm can fall on the coast. Sometimes cyclones bring clouds and snow to these areas. Snowfalls are often accompanied by strong winds that carry significant masses of snow, blowing it off the slope. Strong katabatic winds with snowstorms blow from the cold glacial sheet, bringing snow to the coast.

Table 1. Climates of the Earth

Climate type	Climate zone	Average temperature, ° С		Mode and amount of atmospheric precipitation, mm	Atmospheric circulation	Territory
Equatorial	Equatorial			During a year. 2000	Warm and humid equatorial air masses form in the area of ​​low atmospheric pressure.	Equatorial regions of Africa, South America and Oceania
tropical monsoon	Subequatorial			Mostly during the summer monsoon, 2000		South and Southeast Asia, West and Central Africa, Northern Australia
tropical dry	Tropical			During the year, 200		North Africa, Central Australia
Mediterranean	Subtropical			Mainly in winter, 500	In summer - anticyclones at high atmospheric pressure; winter - cyclonic activity	Mediterranean, Southern coast of Crimea, South Africa, Southwestern Australia, Western California
subtropical dry	Subtropical			During a year. 120	Dry continental air masses	Inland parts of the continents
temperate maritime	Moderate			During a year. 1000	westerly winds	Western parts of Eurasia and North America
temperate continental	Moderate			During a year. 400	westerly winds	Inland parts of the continents
moderate monsoon	Moderate			Mostly during the summer monsoon, 560		Eastern margin of Eurasia
Subarctic	Subarctic			During the year, 200	Cyclones prevail	Northern margins of Eurasia and North America
Arctic (Antarctic)	Arctic (Antarctic)			During the year, 100	Anticyclones predominate	The water area of ​​the Arctic Ocean and mainland Australia

subarctic continental climate formed in the north of the continents (see. climate map atlas). In winter, arctic air prevails here, which is formed in the regions high pressure. In the eastern regions of Canada, Arctic air is distributed from the Arctic.

Continental subarctic climate in Asia, it is characterized by the largest annual amplitude of air temperature on the globe (60-65 ° С). The continentality of the climate here reaches its limit.

The average temperature in January varies across the territory from -28 to -50 °C, and in lowlands and hollows, due to air stagnation, its temperature is even lower. In Oymyakon (Yakutia) a record for northern hemisphere negative air temperature (-71 °С). The air is very dry.

Summer in subarctic belt although short, but quite warm. Medium monthly temperature in July it is from 12 to 18 °С (daily maximum is 20-25 °С). Over the summer, more than half of the annual amount of precipitation falls, amounting to 200-300 mm on the flat territory, and up to 500 mm per year on the windward slopes of the hills.

The climate of the subarctic zone of North America is less continental than the corresponding climate of Asia. Here less Cold winter and colder summers.

temperate climate zone

The temperate climate of the western coasts of the continents has pronounced features of the maritime climate and is characterized by the predominance of sea air masses throughout the year. It is observed on the Atlantic coast of Europe and the Pacific coast of North America. The Cordilleras are a natural boundary separating the coast with a maritime type of climate from the inland regions. The European coast, except for Scandinavia, is open to the free access of temperate maritime air.

The constant transfer of sea air is accompanied by high cloudiness and causes protracted springs, in contrast to the interior of the continental regions of Eurasia.

winter in temperate zone warm on the western coasts. The warming effect of the oceans is enhanced by warm sea currents washing the western shores of the continents. The average temperature in January is positive and varies across the territory from north to south from 0 to 6 °C. Intrusions of arctic air can lower it (on the Scandinavian coast down to -25°C, and on the French coast down to -17°C). With the spread of tropical air to the north, the temperature rises sharply (for example, it often reaches 10 ° C). In winter, on the western coast of Scandinavia, there are large positive temperature deviations from the average latitude (by 20 ° C). The temperature anomaly on the Pacific coast of North America is smaller and does not exceed 12 °С.

Summer is rarely hot. The average temperature in July is 15-16°C.

Even during the day, the air temperature rarely exceeds 30 °C. Cloudy and rainy weather is typical for all seasons due to frequent cyclones. There are especially many cloudy days on the western coast of North America, where cyclones are forced to slow down in front of the Cordillera mountain systems. In connection with this, the weather regime in the south of Alaska is characterized by great uniformity, where there are no seasons in our understanding. Eternal autumn reigns there, and only plants remind of the onset of winter or summer. Annual rainfall ranges from 600 to 1000 mm, and on the slopes of mountain ranges - from 2000 to 6000 mm.

In conditions of sufficient moisture on the coasts developed broadleaf forests, and in conditions of excess - coniferous. The lack of summer heat reduces the upper limit of the forest in the mountains to 500-700 m above sea level.

The temperate climate of the eastern coasts of the continents It has monsoonal features and is accompanied by a seasonal change of winds: in winter, northwestern flows predominate, in summer - southeast. It is well expressed on the eastern coast of Eurasia.

In winter, with a northwest wind, cold continental temperate air spreads to the coast of the mainland, which is the reason for the low average temperature of the winter months (from -20 to -25 ° C). Clear, dry, windy weather prevails. In the southern regions of the coast, there is little rainfall. The north of the Amur region, Sakhalin and Kamchatka often fall under the influence of cyclones moving over Pacific Ocean. Therefore, in winter there is a thick snow cover, especially in Kamchatka, where its maximum height reaches 2 m.

In summer, with a southeasterly wind, temperate sea air spreads on the coast of Eurasia. Summers are warm, with an average July temperature of 14 to 18 °C. Precipitation is frequent due to cyclonic activity. Their annual amount is 600-1000 mm, and most of it falls in the summer. Fog is frequent at this time of the year.

Unlike Eurasia, the eastern coast of North America is characterized by maritime climate features, which are expressed in the predominance of winter precipitation and the marine type of annual air temperature variation: the minimum occurs in February, and the maximum occurs in August, when the ocean is at its warmest.

The Canadian anticyclone, unlike the Asian one, is unstable. It forms far from the coast and is often interrupted by cyclones. Winter here is mild, snowy, wet and windy. IN snowy winters the height of the snowdrifts reaches 2.5 m. When the south wind is often sleet. Therefore, some streets in some cities in eastern Canada have iron railings for pedestrians. Summers are cool and rainy. The annual rainfall is 1000 mm.

temperate continental climate most clearly expressed on the Eurasian continent, especially in the regions of Siberia, Transbaikalia, northern Mongolia, as well as on the territory of the Great Plains in North America.

A feature of the temperate continental climate is the large annual amplitude of air temperature, which can reach 50-60 °C. In the winter months, with a negative radiation balance, the earth's surface cools down. The cooling effect of the land surface on the surface layers of air is especially great in Asia, where a powerful Asian anticyclone forms in winter and cloudy, calm weather prevails. The temperate continental air formed in the area of ​​the anticyclone has a low temperature (-0°...-40°C). In valleys and basins, due to radiation cooling, the air temperature can drop to -60 °C.

In the middle of winter, the continental air in the lower layers becomes even colder than the Arctic. This very cold air of the Asian anticyclone spreads to Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, southeastern regions of Europe.

The winter Canadian anticyclone is less stable than the Asian anticyclone due to the smaller size of the North American continent. Winters here are less severe, and their severity does not increase towards the center of the mainland, as in Asia, but, on the contrary, decreases somewhat due to the frequent passage of cyclones. Continental temperate air in North America has more high temperature than continental temperate air in Asia.

The formation of a continental temperate climate is significantly influenced by geographical features continental territories. In North America, the Cordillera mountain ranges are a natural boundary separating the coast with a maritime climate from the inland regions with a continental climate. In Eurasia, a temperate continental climate is formed over a vast expanse of land, approximately from 20 to 120 ° E. e. Unlike North America, Europe is open to free penetration of sea air from the Atlantic deep into the interior. This is facilitated not only by the western transfer of air masses, which prevails in temperate latitudes, but also by the flat nature of the relief, the strong indentation of the coasts and the deep penetration into the land of the Baltic and North seas. Therefore, a temperate climate of a lesser degree of continentality is formed over Europe compared to Asia.

In winter, the Atlantic sea air, moving over the cold land surface of the temperate latitudes of Europe, retains its physical properties and its influence extends throughout Europe. In winter, as the Atlantic influence weakens, the air temperature decreases from west to east. In Berlin it is 0 °С in January, -3 °С in Warsaw, -11 °С in Moscow. At the same time, the isotherms over Europe have a meridional orientation.

The orientation of Eurasia and North America with a wide front to the Arctic Basin contributes to the deep penetration of cold air masses onto the continents throughout the year. Intense meridional transport of air masses is especially characteristic of North America, where arctic and tropical air often replace each other.

Tropical air entering the plains of North America with southern cyclones is also slowly transformed due to its high speed of movement, high moisture content and continuous low cloudiness.

In winter, the result of intense meridional circulation of air masses are the so-called “jumps” of temperatures, their large daily amplitude, especially in areas where cyclones are frequent: in the north of Europe and Western Siberia, the Great Plains of North America.

In the cold period, they fall in the form of snow, a snow cover forms, which protects the soil from deep freezing and creates a supply of moisture in the spring. The height of the snow cover depends on the duration of its occurrence and the amount of precipitation. In Europe, a stable snow cover on the flat territory is formed east of Warsaw, its maximum height reaches 90 cm in the northeastern regions of Europe and Western Siberia. In the center of the Russian Plain, the height of the snow cover is 30–35 cm, and in Transbaikalia it is less than 20 cm. On the plains of Mongolia, in the center of the anticyclonic region, snow cover forms only in some years. The absence of snow, along with the low winter air temperature, causes the presence of permafrost, which is no longer observed anywhere on the globe under these latitudes.

In North America, the Great Plains have little snow cover. To the east of the plains, tropical air begins to take part in the frontal processes more and more, it intensifies the frontal processes, which causes heavy snowfalls. In the Montreal area, the snow cover lasts up to four months, and its height reaches 90 cm.

Summer in the continental regions of Eurasia is warm. The average July temperature is 18-22°C. In dry regions of southeastern Europe and Central Asia the average air temperature in July reaches 24-28 °C.

In North America, continental air is somewhat colder in summer than in Asia and Europe. This is due to the smaller extent of the mainland in latitude, the large indentation of its northern part with bays and fjords, the abundance of large lakes, and the more intense development of cyclonic activity compared to the interior regions of Eurasia.

In the temperate zone, the annual amount of precipitation on the flat territory of the continents varies from 300 to 800 mm; on the windward slopes of the Alps, more than 2000 mm falls. Most of the precipitation falls in the summer, which is primarily due to an increase in the moisture content of the air. In Eurasia, there is a decrease in precipitation across the territory from west to east. In addition, the amount of precipitation also decreases from north to south due to a decrease in the frequency of cyclones and an increase in air dryness in this direction. In North America, a decrease in precipitation across the territory is noted, on the contrary, in the direction to the west. Why do you think?

Most of the land in the continental temperate zone is occupied by mountain systems. These are the Alps, the Carpathians, the Altai, the Sayans, the Cordillera, the Rocky Mountains, and others. In the mountainous regions, the climatic conditions differ significantly from the climate of the plains. In summer, the air temperature in the mountains drops rapidly with altitude. In winter, when cold air masses invade, the air temperature in the plains often turns out to be lower than in the mountains.

The influence of mountains on precipitation is great. Precipitation increases on the windward slopes and at some distance in front of them, and weakens on the leeward slopes. For example, differences in annual rainfall between the western and eastern slopes Ural mountains sometimes reach 300 mm. In mountains with height, precipitation increases to a certain critical level. In the Alps level most precipitation falls at altitudes of about 2000 m, in the Caucasus - 2500 m.

Subtropical climate zone

Continental subtropical climate determined by the seasonal change of temperate and tropical air. The average temperature of the coldest month in Central Asia is below zero in places, in the northeast of China -5...-10°С. The average temperature of the warmest month is in the range of 25-30°C, while daily highs can exceed 40-45°C.

The most strongly continental climate in the air temperature regime is manifested in the southern regions of Mongolia and in the north of China, where the center of the Asian anticyclone is located in the winter season. Here, the annual amplitude of air temperature is 35-40 °C.

Sharply continental climate in the subtropical zone for high mountain areas Pamir and Tibet, whose height is 3.5-4 km. The climate of the Pamirs and Tibet is characterized by cold winters, cool summers and low rainfall.

In North America, a continental arid subtropical climate is formed in closed plateaus and in intermountain basins located between the Coastal and Rocky Ranges. Summers are hot and dry, especially in the south, where the average July temperature is above 30°C. The absolute maximum temperature can reach 50 °C and above. In Death Valley, a temperature of +56.7 °C was recorded!

Humid subtropical climate characteristic of the eastern coasts of the continents north and south of the tropics. The main areas of distribution are the southeastern United States, some southeastern regions of Europe, northern India and Myanmar, eastern China and southern Japan, northeastern Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil, the coast of Natal in South Africa and the east coast of Australia. Summer in the humid subtropics is long and hot, with the same temperatures as in the tropics. The average temperature of the warmest month exceeds +27 °С, and the maximum temperature is +38 °С. Winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures above 0°C, but occasional frosts have a detrimental effect on vegetable and citrus plantations. In the humid subtropics, the average annual precipitation ranges from 750 to 2000 mm, the distribution of precipitation over the seasons is quite uniform. In winter, rains and rare snowfalls are brought mainly by cyclones. In summer, precipitation falls mainly in the form of thunderstorms associated with powerful inflows of warm and humid oceanic air, which are characteristic of the monsoonal circulation of East Asia. Hurricanes (or typhoons) appear in late summer and autumn, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

subtropical climate with dry summers is typical of the western coasts of the continents north and south of the tropics. In Southern Europe and North Africa, such climatic conditions are typical for the coasts mediterranean sea, which was the reason to call this climate also mediterranean. A similar climate is in southern California, the central regions of Chile, in the extreme south of Africa and in a number of areas in southern Australia. All these regions have hot summers and mild winters. As in the humid subtropics, there are occasional frosts in winter. In inland areas, summer temperatures are much higher than on the coasts, and often the same as in tropical deserts. In general, clear weather prevails. In summer, on the coasts near which ocean currents pass, there are often fogs. For example, in San Francisco, summers are cool, foggy, and the warmest month is September. The maximum precipitation is associated with the passage of cyclones in winter, when the prevailing air currents mix towards the equator. The influence of anticyclones and downward air currents over the oceans determine the dryness of the summer season. The average annual precipitation in a subtropical climate varies from 380 to 900 mm and reaches maximum values ​​on the coasts and mountain slopes. In summer, usually there is not enough rainfall for the normal growth of trees, and therefore there develops specific type evergreen shrub vegetation known as maquis, chaparral, mal i, macchia and fynbosh.

Equatorial climate zone

Equatorial type of climate distributed in equatorial latitudes in the Amazon basin in South America and the Congo in Africa, on the Malay Peninsula and on the islands of Southeast Asia. Usually mean annual temperature about +26 °С. Due to the high noon position of the Sun above the horizon and the same length of the day throughout the year, seasonal temperature fluctuations are small. Humid air, cloudiness and dense vegetation prevent nighttime cooling and maintain maximum daytime temperatures below +37 °C, lower than at higher latitudes. The average annual rainfall in the humid tropics ranges from 1500 to 3000 mm and is usually evenly distributed over the seasons. Precipitation is mainly associated with the intratropical convergence zone, which is located slightly north of the equator. Seasonal shifts of this zone to the north and south in some areas lead to the formation of two precipitation maxima during the year, separated by drier periods. Every day, thousands of thunderstorms roll over the humid tropics. In the intervals between them, the sun shines in full force.

Tropical and subtropical zones are the richest natural areas on the diversity of flora and fauna. The tropical zone is one of the main climatic zones of the planet, and the subtropical zone is one of the transitional ones. They are characterized by a rather hot climate, as they are located near the equator. The formation of the tropics and subtropics occurs under a constant high pressure of the atmosphere, which leads to the establishment of low clouds and the hottest temperatures compared to other belts.

Climate

tropical belt

The tropical belt, according to its climate, divides its natural zones into dry and wet. hallmark both subzones are considered constant strong dry trade winds blowing along the equator.

The dry tropics have a fairly hot dry climate. The average temperature of the warmest months reaches +30 - +35 degrees, and the coldest never drops below +10 degrees. High atmospheric pressure has led to extremely low cloudiness on the territory of this natural zone, little precipitation falls, up to 200 mm per year.

The humid areas of the tropics are characterized by a large amount of precipitation, reaching up to 7000 mm per year. The climate there is as hot as in the dry ones.

subtropical belt

The subtropical zone is located immediately after the tropical. Scientists divide this zone depending on the amount of precipitation into wet and semi-wet. In summer, the average temperature of the subtropical zone reaches 20-25 degrees Celsius, and in winter - not lower than 5 degrees Celsius.

Natural zones of the subtropical belt are found on many continents of our planet. This led to a large number of climate types in this natural zone. Perhaps it is the subtropical belt that can boast of the variety of these conditions. According to the type of climate, the described zone is subdivided:

• Mediterranean climate with abundant winter moisture characteristic of it;
• Continental climate with rather poor moisture;
• Monsoon climate with abundant moisture in summer

natural areas

tropical belt

The tropical belt is habitually divided into the following natural zones, starting from east to west:

• Tropical rainforest zone;
• Light forest zone;
• Zone of dry forests and hot savannas;
• Zone of tropical semi-deserts and deserts.

As a rule, people have sparsely populated all zones, with the exception of some areas of the eastern sections.

subtropical belt

The zones of the tropical belt are more diverse, since their individual sections are found on each continent. On the western part of the ocean coast, they are located in the following order:

• hardwood forests;
• Subtropical steppes;
• Subtropical semi-deserts and deserts;

The southern hemisphere deep on the continent "hides" zones:

• Subtropical steppes;
• To the east - broad-leaved forests of the subtropics;
• In the high regions there are subtropical evergreen forests.

Vegetable world

tropical belt

The tropical zone, due to its favorable location, boasts a rich flora. It is in this natural zone that more than 75% of all representatives of the flora that exist on Earth grow.

marshy forests

In the swamps of the tropical forest, there is a strong depletion of the soil with oxygen, which is why the species composition of plants is scarce here. All representatives of the flora have an external root system to get enough oxygen. Usually this type wet forest It is formed in swampy lowlands and is characterized by an insignificant diversity of species.

Mangroves

Mangrove forests grow in coastal areas or in areas with a temperate climate zone, prerequisite of each is access to warm currents. Here you can see, as if by levels, plants:

• Rhizophores;
• Avicenna;
• Bruggiers and conocarpus;
• Ceriops;
• Aegiceras;
• On the border with the forest - nipa palms.

The crowns of the mangrove forest trees are very dense, so the light through them practically does not pass to the lower tiers. Almost the entire forest litter is occupied by stilted roots, which impede progress.

mountain forests

Such forests grow at an altitude of more than a kilometer. Due to heavy rainfall, fog condenses quite strongly here. The forest is formed by two poorly formed tiers:

• The top one is woody. Represented by tree ferns, magnolias, camellias, giant evergreen oaks, rhododendrons.
• The lower tier is herbal. Represented by mosses and lichens, ferns, undergrowth of trees and herbs.
• There is also extra-tiered vegetation: creepers and epiphytic mosses.

seasonal forests

Seasonal forests receive less rain during certain months. According to the foliage shed in a drought, forests are divided into:

• Evergreen forests (eg eucalyptus);
• Semi-evergreen (the upper tier sheds foliage, while the lower one does not);
• Sparse are represented by one species.

By location in the climate zone:

• Monsoon: laurel, sugar cane, annual grasses, creepers and epiphytes;
• Savannah: palms, bottle trees, cacti, spurges and herbs;
• Prickly xerophilous: legumes (acacia and mimosa), thin lianas and herbaceous cereals;

subtropical belt

Hardwood forests are found in Mediterranean climates, typically represented by:

• On the upper tier: oak, olive tree, cedar and black pine;
• On the second: strawberry, boxwood and phyllyria;
• On the bottom: grasses and mosses.

monsoonal mixed forest formed by evergreen oak (and other representatives of beech), magnolias, pines, laurels, firs, camellias, palms and lianas. Closer to the equator, the species composition is significantly depleted.

Evergreens (hemigiles) differ from their tropical neighbors in a smaller variety of species. Vegetable world represented by tree ferns, evergreen oaks, camellias and camphor laurel. Among the herbaceous bamboo thickets are found.

Animal world

tropical belt

By the number of living species of animals rainforests surpass almost all other natural areas. Animals here usually live in the crowns of tall trees. Among the mammals of the tropical zone there are: Flying squirrels, Hippos, Elephants, Rhinos, Palm squirrels, Many species of monkeys (spider monkey, howler monkey, marmosets), Sloths, Tapir, Tree porcupines,
Spiny-tailed squirrels, Leopards, Tiger, Hedgehogs, Okapi, Lemur lory.

Among amphibians there is a huge variety of frogs (bright climbers), pipa toads, worms and tree frogs.

subtropical belt

The fauna of the subtropical zone is represented by species of the tropics and the temperate zone. To the previous animals are added: mouflon, red deer, fallow deer, ferret, fox, jackal, otter, chaffinch, goldfinch and blackbird.

The subtropical and tropical zones are rich in flora and fauna, have a comfortable warm climate.

Tropical climate zone - one of two geographical zones the globe. The tropics are located in the northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth between the subequatorial and subtropical zones from 20 to 30 ° N. latitude. and y.sh. Tropical belts capture certain areas on all continents except Antarctica, including the territory of such countries as Australia, Algeria, Egypt, China, Libya, UAE, Taiwan, Chile, Brazil, Vietnam, Hawaii, Maldives, Oman, Nigeria, Thailand, etc. Tropical climate has characteristics over the oceans.

Climatic conditions are formed under the influence of tropical air masses, which are characterized by high atmospheric pressure and persistent anticyclonic air circulation, low cloudiness, low relative humidity, and low annual precipitation. Over the continents, seasonal temperature changes are pronounced. The prevailing winds are the trade winds constant winds east direction.

Average annual temperatures

The average annual temperatures of the warmest months are 30-35°C, the coldest - at least 10°C. Maximum temperature 61°C was recorded, the minimum was 0°C and below. The average annual rainfall is between 50 and 200 mm. Only in the eastern oceanic region can fall up to 2000 mm of precipitation per year.

The territory lying in the tropical zone is conditionally divided into four regions:

1. Eastern Oceanic (with high humidity and dominant forests);

2. Eastern Transitional (with a predominance of shrubs and light forests);

3. Inland;

4. Western oceanic (with a predominance of deserts and semi-deserts).The latter region experiences high relative humidity with frequent fogs and relatively stable temperatures.

For areas of the continents located in the tropical zone, a change is characteristic natural processes when moving from east to west: the runoff layer becomes less abundant (from 100 mm to 2-10 mm) and the water content of the rivers decreases (the eastern rivers are full-flowing constantly, the western ones - periodically).

To the east, erosion processes and chemical weathering are predominant, to the west and in the inland region - deflation and physical weathering. From east to west, the thickness of the soil cover decreases; for inland and western regions, desert soils with a primitive composition (gypsum, carbonate, solonchaks) are characteristic, which alternate with sands and accumulations of rubble. The types of plant communities also change from east to west: mixed evergreen forests give way to monsoon deciduous forests and further to savannahs or light forests, dry forests, bush thickets, semi-deserts and deserts. Accordingly, the composition of the fauna is changing - from many forest dwellers to rare inhabitants of desert regions.

There are such zones of the tropical belt on land from east to west: tropical zone moist forests, a zone of light forests, a zone of savannahs and dry forests, tropical semi-deserts and deserts. Mountainous areas are characterized by zones of altitudinal zonation.

Parts of the continents with a tropical climate are poorly developed and inhabited by humans, except for the eastern regions of the continents. In the eastern oceanic region, agriculture and logging are developed, in the western oceanic and inland regions - pasture cattle breeding with areas of irrigated agriculture, as a result of which natural landscapes are almost completely transformed in the process of human economic activity.

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