How much precipitation falls in the tropical zone. Tropical and subtropical zones - winds, precipitation, temperature. Arctic and Antarctic climate zones

The air temperature here is constant (+24° -26°C), at sea temperature fluctuations can be less than 1°. The annual amount of precipitation is up to 3000 mm, and in the mountains of the equatorial belt, precipitation can fall up to 6000 mm. More water falls from the sky than evaporates, so there are many wetlands and dense, moist forests - jungles. Remember the adventure films about Indiana Jones - how hard it is for the main characters to make their way through the dense vegetation of the jungle and escape from crocodiles who love the muddy waters of small forest streams. All this is the equatorial belt. Its climate is greatly influenced by the trade winds, which bring abundant rainfall from the ocean.

Northern: Africa (Sahara), Asia (Arabia, south of the Iranian Highlands), North America (Mexico, Western Cuba).

Southern: South America (Peru, Bolivia, Northern Chile, Paraguay), Africa (Angola, Kalahari Desert), Australia (central part of the mainland).

In the tropics, the state of the atmosphere over the mainland (land) and the ocean is different, therefore, a continental tropical climate and an oceanic tropical climate are distinguished.

The oceanic climate is similar to the equatorial one, but differs from it by less cloudiness and steady winds. Summers over the oceans are warm (+20-27°С), and winters are cool (+10-15°С).

Above the land-tropics (mainland tropical climate), a high-pressure area prevails, so rain is a rare visitor here (from 100 to 250 mm). This type of climate is characterized by very hot summers (up to +40°С) and cool winters (+15°С). The air temperature during the day can change dramatically - up to 40 ° C! That is, a person can languish from the heat during the day and shiver from the cold at night. Such drops lead to the destruction of rocks, the creation of a mass of sand and dust, so dust storms are frequent here.

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This type of climate, as well as tropical, forms two belts in the Northern and Southern hemispheres, which are formed over the territories of temperate latitudes (from 40-45 ° North and South latitude to the Arctic Circles).

In the temperate zone, there are many cyclones that make the weather capricious and give out either snow or rain. In addition, westerly winds blow here, which bring precipitation all year round. Summer in this climatic zone is warm (up to +25°-28°С), winter is cold (from +4°С to -50°С). The annual precipitation is from 1000 mm to 3000 mm, and in the center of the continents only up to 100 mm.

In the temperate climate zone, unlike the equatorial and tropical, the seasons are pronounced (that is, you can make snowmen in winter and swim in the river in summer).

The temperate climate is also divided into two subtypes - maritime and continental.

Marine dominates the western parts of North America, South America and Eurasia. It is formed by westerly winds blowing from the ocean to the mainland, so it has rather cool summers (+15 -20°С) and warm winters (from +5°С). Precipitation brought by western winds falls all year round (from 500 to 1000 mm, in the mountains up to 6000 mm).

Continental prevails in the central regions of the continents. Cyclones penetrate here less often, therefore, there are warmer and drier summers (up to + 26 ° C) and colder winters (up to -24 ° C), and the snow lasts a very long time and melts reluctantly.

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polar belt

It dominates the territory above 65°-70° latitude in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, therefore it forms two belts: the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Polar Belt has a unique feature - the Sun does not appear here at all for several months (polar night) and does not go below the horizon for several months (polar day). Snow and ice reflect more heat than they receive, so the air is very cold, and the snow does not melt almost all year. Since an area of ​​high pressure is formed here, there are almost no clouds, the winds are weak, the air is saturated with small ice needles. The average summer temperature does not exceed 0°С, and in winter it is from -20° to -40°С. Rain falls only in the summer in the form of tiny droplets - drizzle.

Between the main climatic zones are transitional, having the prefix "sub" in the name (translated from Latin "under"). Here, the air masses change seasonally, coming from neighboring belts under the influence of the Earth's rotation.

a) Subequatorial climate. In summer, all climatic zones shift to the north, so equatorial air masses begin to dominate here. They shape the weather: a lot of precipitation (1000-3000 mm), the average air temperature is +30°C. The sun reaches its zenith in spring and scorches mercilessly. In winter, all climatic zones shift to the south, and tropical air masses begin to dominate in the subequatorial zone, winter is cooler than summer (+14°C). There is little rainfall. Soils dry out after summer rains, so in the subequatorial zone, unlike the equatorial zone, there are few swamps. The territory of this climatic zone is favorable for human life, therefore it is here that many centers of the emergence of civilization are located.

The subequatorial climate forms two belts. The northern ones include: the Isthmus of Panama (Latin America), Venezuela, Guinea, the Sahelian desert belt in Africa, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, all of Indochina, South China, part of Asia. The southern zone includes: the Amazonian lowland, Brazil (South America), the center and east of Africa and the northern coast of Australia.

b) Subtropical climate. Tropical air masses prevail here in summer, and air masses of temperate latitudes prevail in winter, which determines the weather: hot, dry summers (from + 30 ° C to + 50 ° C) and relatively cold winters with precipitation, and stable snow cover is not formed.

c) Subpolar climate. This climatic zone is located only on the northern outskirts of Eurasia and North America. In summer, humid air masses come here from temperate latitudes, so the summer is cool here (from + 5 ° C to + 10 ° C). Despite the small amount of precipitation, evaporation is low, since the angle of incidence of the sun's rays is small and the earth warms up poorly. Therefore, in the subpolar climate in the north of Eurasia and North America, there are many lakes and swamps. In winter, cold arctic air masses come here, so the winters are long and cold, the temperature can drop to -50°C.

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 zone

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 monsoonal 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 ○ 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.

Planets located in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

It captures separate areas on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

The tropical belt runs through the territory of Australia, Algeria, China, Egypt, Brazil, Vietnam, Chile, Oman, Thailand and other countries, and has characteristic features over the oceans.

The formation of climatic conditions occurs under the influence of tropical air masses. They are characterized by such indicators as high atmospheric pressure, slight cloudiness, low air humidity, low precipitation, persistent anticyclonic air circulation, constant easterly winds - trade winds.

The tropics are characterized by seasonal changes in air temperature over the continents.

In the summer months, the average annual air temperature is +30 ... +35 degrees, in the cold months it does not fall below +10 degrees.

The recorded maximum air temperature was +61 degrees, and the minimum was 0 degrees.

Precipitation in the tropics falls from 50 to 200 mm, and only in the eastern oceanic region does it fall to 2000 mm.

The tropical climatic zone is heterogeneous; subspecies differing from each other are distinguished in it:

  • tropical humid climate;
  • desert tropical climate;
  • trade wind tropical climate.

The humid climate of the tropics is typical for those regions that are adjacent to the ocean. Tropical maritime air masses dominate throughout the year. The average air temperature ranges from +20 to +28 degrees.

A humid tropical climate takes place in Brazil - the region of Rio de Janeiro, in the state of Florida, on the Hawaiian Islands.

Inside the continents and in coastal areas washed by cold currents, a desert tropical climate has formed. It is characterized by tropical dry air masses.

Temperature fluctuations during the day are significant. The summer is hot, with an average temperature above +30 degrees, although not always, the winter temperature does not exceed +20 degrees, but frosts can also occur during this period. Similar climatic conditions are observed in the Sahara, the Kalahari, the Namib, and in the Atacama.

The opposite of the desert tropical climate is the humid tropical climate zone. These are small moist places with dry periods.

In Eurasia, these will be the coastal regions of India, the southern part of Asia.

As the tropical climate moves from west to east, arid deserts are replaced by rainforests with high rainfall.

In the trade wind tropical climate, there is a seasonal change of trade winds, the summer is hot, with a temperature of +27 ... +29 degrees, the winter is much colder, and the temperature in the winter months rises to +17 ... +19 degrees.

A similar type of climate is characteristic of Paraguay.

In regions such as equatorial Africa, South and Southeast Asia, northern Australia, the trade wind tropical climate is being replaced by a monsoonal tropical climate. Here, the intratropical convergence zone moves further north of the equator in summer.

The eastern trade wind transport of air masses is replaced by the western monsoon. It is with this replacement that the bulk of the precipitation is associated.

Tropical climate classification

The physical and geographical characteristics of a particular area include climate.

The height of the terrain above sea level in the formation of its climatic conditions is of great importance. Currents in the ocean play an important role in shaping the climate of sea coasts and island countries.

Figure 1. Surface water circulation. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

Remark 1

There are several classifications of climates, both for the entire planet and for individual territories, individual climatic zones. The most famous are the classifications of V. P. Köppen, B. P. Alisov, M. I. Budyko and others.

According to the classification of B.P. Alisov, the tropical climatic zone is located between subtropical and subequatorial. He puts the general circulation of the atmosphere as the basis for the allocation of climatic zones, i.e. climate is formed under the influence of one type of air mass.

Since the tropical zone lies between the summer position of the tropical fronts and the winter position of the polar fronts, it will be occupied mainly by tropical air throughout the year.

As a result, in the tropical climate zone, he distinguishes:

  • tropical trade wind climate;
  • dry tropical climate;
  • monsoonal tropical climate;
  • monsoon climate on tropical plateaus.

One of the more common classification systems for climate types is the classification of V.P. Köppen (this is a Russian and German climatologist).

The classification was developed as early as 1900, and in 1918 and 1936. he made changes to it.

In his classification, he defines the tropical climate as non-arid with an average monthly air temperature above +17 degrees.

It includes 4 types in the composition of the tropical climate, differing from each other in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year:

  1. rainy tropical climate (according to B.P. Alisov, it corresponds to the equatorial type);
  2. tropical rainy monsoon (corresponding to subequatorial according to B.P. Alisov);
  3. tropical climate with rainy summers and dry winters;
  4. tropical climate with dry summers and rainy winters.

According to W. P. Köppen, a tropical climate with wet summers and dry winters has two distinct seasons. He believes that if in a tropical climate precipitation falls at least 60 mm during the month, then this month is considered rainy, and the rest are dry.

This type of climate is formed when during the calendar year the number of rainy months is from 3 to 9. Under such conditions, the natural zone of the savannas is formed, and sometimes it is called the tropical climate of the savannas.

It was formed in both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, these will be Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, the southern part of India, Sri Lanka, the southern part of Papua New Guinea, etc.

In Africa, it stretches from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans. In North America - the Hawaiian Islands, the south of Florida, the Pacific coast of Mexico, the center and northeast of Brazil, etc.

Tropical belt in the ocean

In the ocean, the tropical belt is distinguished by the stability of the trade winds.

Summer over the oceans is not as hot as on tropical land. Summer temperature is from +20 to +28 degrees, winter temperature is much lower and varies from +10 to +15 degrees. Precipitation in the tropics over the ocean falls about 500 mm.

The temperature jump layer is clearly expressed, and hence there are significant temperature contrasts in depth. The salinity of the water is 36-37%0, the water is poor in oxygen.

There is little plankton in such water, and it is food for fish. The color of the water is blue, it is transparent. The blue color of sea water indicates that this is a "sea desert".

The water of the tropical part of the ocean is oversaturated with carbonates, which makes it possible for mollusks and coral polyps to build their internal skeleton and shells from it. This, in turn, contributes to the gradual accumulation of organogenic limestone on the ocean floor.

The largest tropical belt is characteristic of the Pacific Ocean. In terms of its area (88 million sq. km), it largely exceeds the corresponding belt of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans combined.

Meridional flows in the tropics in the surface layers are rather weak, the latitudinal transport of water is predominant. The temperature of the upper layers, as well as the distribution of animals in the tropical Pacific Ocean, is largely determined by the horizontal currents and vertical movements of the waters.

The warm surface layer in the western part of the Pacific Ocean reaches 75-100 m. This layer is less than 25 m near the eastern margin of the ocean.

Characteristic of the Pacific Ocean are currents of different water temperatures, the general scheme of which is determined by the laws of the general circulation of the atmosphere.

The tropical climatic zone covers the globe from the 20th to the 30th parallels in the northern and southern hemispheres. These areas generally have clear weather throughout the year, and the air temperature depends on how high the Sun rises above the horizon. In summer the air warms up to +30°С. Although sometimes it can rise to + 45-50 ° C. In winter, the air is very cold, often to negative readings on the thermometer.

The air temperature can vary greatly during the day, when the sultry heat during the day is replaced by evening coolness and severe cooling at night. In the tropics, little precipitation falls - no more than 50-150 mm per year. Most of them occur during the winter months. These latitudes are very affected by the trade winds.

Types of climate in tropical latitudes

The tropical climate is usually divided into two categories, depending on the proximity of the territory to the ocean.

Continental: In the depths of the continents, the climate in tropical latitudes is hot and arid, with a large temperature difference. This is a region of high atmospheric pressure. The weather is mostly clear and cloudless. And sudden changes in temperature give rise to strong winds and dust storms.

The areas of distribution of the continental tropical climate in the western and eastern regions differ significantly. The western shores of South America, Australia and Africa are washed predominantly by cold currents, therefore, in tropical latitudes, the climate in these areas is cooler, the air rarely warms up by more than 20-25 ° C.

The eastern coasts of the continents are dominated by warm currents, so the temperatures are higher here, and there is more rainfall.

Oceanic: In coastal areas and over the oceans, a milder climate is developing, with an abundance of rainfall, warm summers and mild winters. This type of climate is very similar to the equatorial one, but is characterized by less cloudiness and strong winds. Precipitation falls mainly in the summer months.

Average annual temperatures

The average annual temperatures of the warmest months are 30-35°C, the coldest - at least 10°C. The maximum temperature was recorded at 61°С, the minimum - 0°С 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 in natural processes is characteristic when moving from east to west: the runoff layer becomes less abundant (from 100 mm to 2-10 mm) and the water content of rivers decreases (eastern rivers are full-flowing constantly, western - 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. Also, the types of plant communities change from east to west: mixed evergreen forests are replaced by monsoon deciduous forests and further by 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.

From east to west, such zones of the tropical belt on land are distinguished: the zone of tropical moist forests, the zone of light forests, the 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.

In the Köppen climate classification

In the Köppen climate classification, a tropical climate is defined as a non-arid climate in which the average monthly air temperature is above 17 °C. It includes four types of climate, differing in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year.

  1. tropical rainy climate - roughly corresponds to Alisov's equatorial climate
  2. tropical monsoon rainy climate - roughly corresponds to the subequatorial climate of Alisov
  3. tropical climate with dry winters and rainy summers
  4. tropical climate with dry summers and rainy winters

Video

Characteristics of climatic zones (table below) is the topic of this article. We will talk about what types of climate exist on our planet, and also consider in detail each of them. To do this, we recall that climate is the weather regime established over the years, which depends on a particular territory, its geographical location.

equatorial belt

This climatic zone is characterized by low pressure, as well as year-round presence of air masses. There are no separate climatic regions within the belt. As for the temperature regime, it is hot here. During the year there is a lot of precipitation, moisture in abundance. The weather here changes very drastically during the day. The first half is sultry, and the second begins with heavy rains.

The names of climatic zones are associated with their features. The equatorial belt is located near the equator, therefore it has such a name.

The subequatorial belt is characterized by a change in air masses, which occurs seasonally. Equatorial air masses predominate in summer, while tropical air masses prevail in winter. in summer they fully correspond to the equatorial type of climate, while the weather in winter resembles the conditions of the tropical zone. Winters are dry and slightly colder than summers.

tropical belt

As we already know, the names of climatic zones are associated with their location. This type of climate is characterized by tropical air masses throughout the year. The air is continental. The real weather of the tropical zone is high pressure and temperature, a large temperature difference not only during the year, but also during the day. Water is scarce in this climate. It is very hot and dry here, and dry winds often occur. There is almost no rain. The weather is usually dry and sunny.

However, the tropical belt is deceptive. The eastern shores of the continents, which are washed by warm currents, are also in this zone, but have a different climate. Tropical marine air, heavy rainfall, monsoons. Climatic conditions are similar to the equatorial climate.

Subtropical zones are characterized by a change in air masses. The climate is tropical in summer and temperate in winter. Pressure surges in summer and winter are quite high. The pressure is low in winter and high in summer. Despite the strong difference in temperature and precipitation throughout the year, the thermometer is above zero all year round. Sometimes the temperature can even drop to negative values. During such periods, snow falls. In the flat areas, it melts quickly, but in the mountains it can lie for several months. As for the winds, the trade winds rule in winter and the trade winds in summer.

Temperate zone

The temperature of climatic zones largely depends on the air masses that prevail over the territory. The temperate zone, as the name implies, has a temperate climate. But not always. Sometimes tropical or arctic air masses invade. The temperate climate is characterized by large temperature differences. Summers are hot and winters are cold and long. Relatively low pressure, cyclonicity, instability of weather conditions in winter. Throughout the year, westerly winds blow, sometimes there are trade winds in summer, and northeast winds in winter. Massive snow cover every winter.

Arctic and Antarctic belts

In the characteristics of climatic zones in the table, you can see what temperatures prevail in these zones. The features of these belts are low temperatures all year round, strong winds and cold summers. There are very few rainfalls.

Subarctic and subantarctic belts

These belts are distinguished by the fact that a temperate climate prevails here in summer. Because of this, there is a large amplitude of temperature fluctuations. There is a lot of permafrost in these belts. In winter, northeast and southeast winds prevail, and in summer - west winds. Belts have 2 climatic regions, about them below.

Territories of climatic zones

Each zone is characteristic of a certain territory. Natural and climatic zones have been formed on the planet for a long time, so it is safe to identify certain areas in which the climate of the zone is pronounced.

The equatorial climate is typical for Oceania, the countries of South America and Africa. The subequatorial climate is typical for Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. The central part of Australia and North Africa is a tropical belt. Subtropics are characteristic of the interior regions of the continents. A temperate climate prevails in the western part and eastern outskirts of Eurasia. the belt dominates North America and northern Eurasia. The Arctic and Antarctic belts are characteristic of Australia and the Arctic Ocean.

Table of climatic zones

The table shows the characteristics of the zones.

Belt

Average temperature in January

Average temperature in July

Atmosphere

Equatorial

Humid warm air masses

subequatorial

Monsoons prevail

Tropical

Subtropical

Cyclonicity, high atmospheric pressure

Moderate

West winds and monsoons

Subarctic

Arctic (Antarctic)

Anticyclones

Climatic regions of the belts

Subtropical belts have three climatic regions:

  1. Mediterranean climate. It prevails in the northern hemisphere, on the southern and western coasts of the continents. In summer there is a continental climate, and in winter - continental and maritime air masses. Summers are dry and warm, while winters are relatively cool and wet. Humidification is insufficient.
  2. Monsoon climate. Distributed on the eastern shores of the continents. The summer monsoons bring intense heat and heavy rainfall, while the winter monsoons bring coolness and dryness. Humidity in this area is moderate. Precipitation is typical for the winter season.
  3. Marine climate. Distributed on the continents of the southern hemisphere. Characterized by maritime air masses. Summer and winter are warm. There is enough moisture, it is distributed evenly throughout the year.

The temperate zone consists of 5 climatic regions:

  1. moderate It prevails on the western coasts of the continents. The weather is formed under the influence of warm currents and westerly winds. Winters are quite mild and summers are warm. There is a lot of precipitation throughout the year. Winter is characterized by heavy and frequent snowfalls. More than enough moisture. The geography of the climate zone contributes to the instability of the weather.
  2. Continental temperate climate. Characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Arctic air masses sometimes provoke a sharp cooling, and tropical air masses - warming. There are few precipitations, they are uniform (cyclonal and frontal).
  3. Continental climate. Distributed only in the northern hemisphere. Moderate air masses prevail here throughout the year. Sometimes arctic air masses appear (in this area their invasion is also possible in summer). In the warm season, there is more precipitation, but in general they are insignificant. A small amount of snow and the predominance of low temperatures contribute to the existence of permafrost.
  4. Sharply continental climate. It is typical for the interior regions of North America and Eurasia. The territory is practically isolated from the influence of the seas and oceans and is located in the center of high pressure. Sometimes summers are hot, winters are always frosty. Lots of permafrost. The type of weather is anticyclonic. Little precipitation, little moisture.
  5. Monsoon climate. Distributed on the eastern side of the continents. It is characterized by seasonality of air masses. Summers are humid and warm, while winters are dry and cool. Summer precipitation is more numerous, excessive moisture.

The subarctic and subantarctic belts have two areas:

  • continental climate (severe but short winter, little rainfall, swampy territory);
  • oceanic climate (fogs, a lot of precipitation, mild winters and cool summers).

The characteristic of climatic zones in the table does not include two areas of the Arctic and Antarctic zones:

  • continental (little precipitation, the temperature is below zero all year round);
  • oceanic climate (cyclones, little precipitation, negative temperatures).

The temperature in the oceanic climate can rise to +5 during the polar day.

Summing up, let's say that the characteristics of climatic zones (in the table) are necessary for every educated person.