Talismans 

Temperate zone - winds, land, temperature, precipitation

temperate zones

two geographical zones of the Earth, located in the North. hemisphere, approximately between 40° and 65° N. sh., in the South - between 42 ° and 58 ° S. sh. They occupy about 1/4 of the Earth's surface area, significantly surpassing the rest of the geographic zones. In the Northern Hemisphere, about 55% of the area of ​​the U. p. is occupied by land, in the Southern Hemisphere - about 98% - by the ocean. U. p. is characterized by a clear seasonality. thermal regime, which determines the periodicity of climatic, hydrological, geomorphological, biological processes. Thermal conditions allow growth throughout the U. p. woody vegetation, but due to the severity of winters, the development of evergreen woody vegetation is impossible. The lack of moisture in some areas leads to the formation of treeless landscapes. The natural conditions of U. p., especially on the vast land of the North. hemispheres are exceptionally diverse due to large spatial gradients of heat and moisture.

Annual total radiation from 70–80 to 140–160 kcal/cm 2. Annual radiation balance on land Sev. hemisphere 20–40, southern hemisphere 30–40 kcal/cm 2 , on the oceans, respectively, 20–60 and 30–60 kcal/cm 2. In summer, the total radiation changes little with increasing latitude due to the increase in day length in this direction. In winter, the total radiation rapidly decreases with increasing latitude, and the radiation balance turns out to be negative. Throughout the year, in the entire thickness of the troposphere, U. p. the transfer of air masses, which, combined with intense cyclonic activity, contributes to the transport of moisture from the oceans to the continents and inter-latitudinal heat exchange. The average air temperatures of the coldest months over land in the North. hemisphere from 6 to -50 °С, in the Southern - from 2 to 8 °С, over the oceans, respectively, from 10 to -8 °С and from 2 to 10 °С; the warmest - over land in the North. hemisphere from 10 to 28 °С, in the Southern - from 8 to 20 °С; over the oceans, respectively, from 8 to 20 °С and from 8 to 16 °С. Annual total precipitation in most of the U. p. from 500 to 800 mm, to the margins of the continents, they increase to 1000–2000 mm, and in the south inland areas decrease to 100–200 mm due to the weakening of cyclonic circulation. Significant values ​​are characteristic of land U. p. surface runoff, high activity of flowing waters, causing intense erosional dissection of the surface. The amount of runoff in the North. hemisphere decreases towards the southern regions with their large basins of internal flow. Compared to other belts, the U. p. has the largest number of lakes, a very specific group of which are lakes of glacial origin.

Soil formation is characterized by intense mineralization organic matter and leaching; podzolic and various podzolized soils are widespread. In warmer and more humid areas, there is an active synthesis of secondary minerals with soil claying. Soddy process prevails in moderately humid regions, and salinization prevails in arid regions. Podzolic, brown, and gray forest soils occupy considerable areas in U. p., while chernozems, chestnut soils, and others are less common. The most common types of vegetation are forests: taiga forests (swampy in large areas), mixed coniferous-broad-leaved, and summer-green broad-leaved forests. In fauna essential role forest forms of animals play, leading a predominantly sedentary lifestyle; animals of open spaces are less common. Many mammals fall into hibernation or have other adaptations to endure the unfavorable season.

On land, U. p. distinguish three types of sectors: western Oxanic, inland, and eastern oceanic. The boundaries between them are fuzzy, in connection with which sometimes transitional sectors from intracontinental to near-oceanic sectors are distinguished. The western oceanic sectors are dominated by mild humid climate with intense cyclonic circulation. Humidification is sufficient or excessive. Snow cover is short or non-existent. The rivers are full. Mesophilic broad-leaved or coniferous forests, brown forest or sod-podzolic soils. Within mountainous areas - forest-meadow spectrum altitudinal belts. Inland sectors North. the hemispheres have a continental climate, with the largest differences in temperature in the U. p. between the seasons of the year, cold and (especially in the north) snowy winter and relatively warm or (in the south) hot summers. On the large area developed permafrost soils. All in. parts of the sectors, excessive moisture, in middle lane- sufficient, in the south - scarce. These sectors are characterized next shift landscape zones as radiation increases and moisture decreases: Forest zones of temperate zones, forest-steppe zones of temperate zones (See. Forest-steppe zones of the temperate zone), Steppe zones of temperate zones, Semi-desert zones of temperate zones and Desert zone of the temperate zone. The strike of the steppe and forest-steppe zones has a concentric character. The eastern oceanic sectors are characterized by landscapes forest areas, which are formed under the conditions of a monsoon-cyclone climate, which is especially pronounced in East Asia. The plains and low mountains are dominated by dark coniferous, mixed, and (in the south) broad-leaved forests on soddy-podzolic and brown forests. forest soils. In the highlands - landscapes of the forest-tundra spectrum.

The spectrum of zones and altitudinal belts is most fully expressed in Eurasia and North America. They have large areas occupied by forest zones, and in the mountains - forest-tundra (in the north) and forest-meadow types altitudinal zonality. In the oceanic sectors, the spectrum of zones is reduced due to a decrease in the spatial amplitude of moisture: the zones of semi-deserts and deserts disappear, and the zones of forest-steppes and steppes are represented fragmentarily. IN South America and in Tasmania, the sectoral nature of the zones due to the regional features of the land and the circulation of air masses is less pronounced.

Development of land U. p. economic activity person is varied. It reaches its greatest extent in the Atlantic sectors of Europe and North America, where industrial anthropogenic landscapes are widespread, as well as in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of the inland sectors, where agricultural crops are almost ubiquitous. anthropogenic landscapes. The least development is inherent in sowing. areas of the taiga zone and deserts.

Lit.: Ivanov N. N., Landscape and climatic zones of the globe, M. - L., 1948; Grigoriev A. A., Budyko M. I., On the periodic law of geographical zoning, “Dokl. Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 1956, vol. 110, no. 1; Kalesnik S. V., General geographical patterns of the Earth, M., 1970.

R. A. Eramov.


Big soviet encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978 .

See what "Temperate Zones" are in other dictionaries:

    Geographical zones of the Earth between 40 and 65 .s. sh. and 42 and 58 ju. sh. In the Northern Hemisphere, St. 1/2 of the surface of the temperate zone is occupied by land, in the South 98% of the territory is covered by the sea. A clear seasonality of the thermal regime is characteristic with the formation of ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

    Geographical zones of the Earth between 40 and 65 ° N. sh. And 42 and 58°S. sh. In the Northern Hemisphere, over 1/2 of the surface of the temperate zones is occupied by land; in the Southern Hemisphere, 98% of the territory is covered by the sea. A clear seasonality of the thermal regime is characteristic with the formation of ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

    temperate zones- vidutinės juostos statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Šiaurės ir Pietų pusrutulių geografinės juostos, esančios tarp paatogrąžių ir subpoliarinių (subarktinės, subantarktinės) juostų. Vyrauja vidutinių platumų klimatas (tarpinis … Ekologijos terminų aiskinamasis žodynas

    Two geographic zones: Northern temperate zone in the Northern Hemisphere, approximately between 40°N and 65°N. sh., and the Southern temperate zone in the Southern Hemisphere - between 42 ° and 58 ° S. sh. Significantly larger than other geographic zones of the Earth and ... Geographic Encyclopedia

    temperate zone The temperate climate, or the climate of temperate latitudes, is characteristic of the temperate geographical northern hemisphere, between 40 and 65 °C. sh. and 42 and 58 °S. sh. In the northern hemisphere, over 1/2 of the surface of the temperate zone ... ... Wikipedia

    Geogr. belt of the Earth between 40 and 65 ° N. sh. and 42 and 58° S sh. All in. hemisphere of St. 1/2 of the surface of the U. p. is occupied by land; in the South, 98% of the territory. covered by the sea. Characterized by a clear seasonality thermal. regime with the formation of snow cover on land, which means. ... ... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary

    - (natural belts), the largest subdivisions geographical envelope. According to the regime of heat and moisture, the features of the circulation of air masses and ocean currents, the peculiarity of geomorphological and biogeochemical processes, the composition of vegetation ... encyclopedic Dictionary

    Parts of the Earth's surface bounded by the tropics and the polar circles and differing in lighting conditions. The formation of five belts of illumination is caused by the inclination of the Earth's axis of rotation to the plane of the orbit and the movement of the Earth around the Sun. Belts ... ... Wikipedia

    lighting belts- The latitudinal belts of the Earth, distinguished by the ratio of the length of day and night, distinguish the equatorial, tropical, subtropical, temperate, white night and short winter days, subpolar and polar. → Fig. 190, p. 417 ... Geography Dictionary

    The largest zonal divisions of the geographic envelope. Each P. f. d. characterized by a special regime of heat and moisture, their own air masses, features of their circulation and, as a result, a peculiar expression and rhythm ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

The temperate zone is one of two geographical zones the globe. temperate in the northern hemisphere climate zone is located between 40° and 65° N, in the South - between 42° and 58° S. The territory lying in these belts makes up 25% of the planet's surface area. This is much more than the area of ​​territories occupied by any other climatic zone. In the Northern Hemisphere, up to 55% of the territory is land, in the Southern - only 2%, the rest is occupied by the ocean.

A characteristic feature of the temperate zone is the change in temperature clearly according to the seasons of the year. This is the reason for the periodicity of climatic, biological and hydrological processes.

There are four seasons:
1. Two main ones - cold winters and hot summers.
2. Two transitional - autumn and spring.

For winter, the temperature is less than 0 °С, for summer - more than +15 °С. In the cold season, a permanent snow cover forms. The average annual precipitation is 400-500 mm, in summer it can increase up to 750 mm. To the outskirts of the continents, the amount of precipitation increases to 1500-2000 mm. Throughout the year, the western transfer of air masses occurs in the troposphere, due to which, as well as active cyclonic activity, water vapor is transferred from the oceans to the continents and interlatitudinal exchange of thermal energy occurs. According to the characteristics of summer and winter, there are subspecies of a temperate climate: temperate continental, marine, monsoon, sharply continental.

On the land of the temperate zone, there is a significant amount of surface runoff, as well as high fluidity of waters, which provoke intensive erosional dissection of the earth's surface. The amount of runoff in the Northern Hemisphere becomes less from north to south. The temperate zone is characterized by the presence of a large number of lakes.

Temperate subspecies

Throughout the temperate zone there is a variety of vegetation, except for evergreen forms. The most common type of vegetation in the temperate zone is forests (taiga, mixed, broad-leaved). In some areas, due to insufficient moisture, steppe landscapes are formed. Accordingly, the fauna is represented mainly by forest forms of animals that lead a sedentary lifestyle. Inhabitants of open spaces are less common.

Natural conditions, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, are diverse, which is explained by large differences in humidity and heat, and changes in the direction of the winds. This is due to the active activity of cyclones. On land, three types of sectors are distinguished: inland, western oceanic, eastern oceanic. The boundaries between them are blurred. In the first and second sectors, such landscape zones are distinguished as solar radiation and decrease in moisture: forest, forest-steppe, steppe, semi-desert, desert natural zones. The eastern oceanic sectors are characterized by landscapes of forest zones, the formation of which occurs under monsoon climate conditions, which is especially pronounced in East Asia.

The development of land in the temperate zone by human economic activity reaches the highest level in the Atlantic regions of Europe and North America. Industrial anthropogenic landscapes are observed there. Agricultural anthropogenic landscapes are widespread in the steppe and forest-steppe inland regions.

Related content:

Moderate is the largest climatic zone in Russia in terms of area. That is why it is customary to divide it into four zones: temperate continental, continental climate, sharply continental, monsoon climate. Characteristic for the entire temperate climate zone is the presence of clearly defined four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Moreover, the temperature regimes of summer and winter are quite sharply different from each other.

Moderate continental climate of Russia

The main features of this type of temperate climate are hot summers (in its middle the temperature rises to 30°C) and frosty winters (temperature drops to -30°C). Rainfall varies depending on proximity to the Atlantic. Humidification in the temperate continental climate zone varies from excessive in the north, northwest, to insufficient in the south, southeast.

Continental climate of Russia

It is formed under the influence of air masses of temperate latitudes coming from the west. At the same time, colder arctic air masses move from north to south, and continental tropical air moves north. As a result, 3 times more precipitation falls in the north than in the south. Here the difference between the temperatures of summer and winter increases even more. average temperature in July it reaches 26°С, and in January -25°С.

Sharply continental climate of Russia

characteristic feature The sharply continental climate is low cloudiness and a small amount of precipitation, which falls mainly in the warm season. The result is hot summers and cold winters. Low rainfall in winter period contributes to the strong freezing of the soil and the preservation of permafrost. Within this climate zone there is only one natural zone - the taiga. This is explained by the fact that within the sharply continental climate there are practically no temperature differences between north and south.

Monsoon climate

As the continent cools in winter, it increases Atmosphere pressure, and cold and dry air masses move towards the ocean, where the air is warmer (water cools more slowly). In summer, the mainland warms up better than the ocean, and cold air from the ocean tends to the continent. In this case, strong winds arise, called monsoons, hence the name of the climate. Sometimes typhoons even form here. Precipitation in this regard also falls for the most part in summer and in fairly large amounts. If they start at times of snowmelt, then floods usually occur in these places. Humidification throughout this climatic zone is excessive. Since this territory receives rather cold air from the north in summer, it is quite cool here (the average temperature in July is 15-20°C). In winter, the temperature sometimes drops to 40°C (average about 25°C).

In temperate latitudes, large seasonal differences in radiation conditions are observed. In summer, the radiation balance of the underlying surface is high and in areas with little cloudiness it approaches the conditions of tropical latitudes, while on the continents it is negative in winter.

The temperate latitudes are also the scene of the most intense cyclonic activity on the polar and arctic fronts, so the weather regime here is very variable. Frequent incursions of air masses, both from polar and subtropical latitudes, and, consequently, sudden changes in temperature.

In the Northern Hemisphere, there are great differences in the circulation conditions on the continents and oceans, which cause pronounced types of maritime and continental climates.
In the predominantly oceanic Southern Hemisphere, the continental type of climate in temperate latitudes is practically absent.

Very significant differences in climate exist on the western and eastern margins of temperate continents. The climate of the western shores, subject to the predominant influence of marine air masses, is transitional from maritime to continental; it is often referred to simply as the sea. On the eastern shores, a monsoon type of climate is observed, especially in Asia.

In the temperate zone B.P. Alisov distinguishes the following four types of climate: continental, maritime climate of the western parts of the continents, monsoonal climate of the eastern parts of the continents and oceanic.

Continental climate of temperate latitudes. This type of climate is found on the continents of Eurasia and North America. It is characterized by warm summers and cold winter with stable snow cover. The annual temperature amplitude is large and increases with the distance to the interior of the mainland. Moisture conditions change in the direction both from south to north and from west to east.

In the southern part of the temperate latitudes of Eurasia, the winter regime is dominated by high pressure.
On climatological maps, it is in these latitudes that the center of the famous Asian winter anticyclone with a spur directed to southern part Europe. Therefore, winter precipitation here is small and decreases with distance into the interior of the mainland. For this reason, the snow cover is not high, and in Transbaikalia, near the center of the anticyclone, it reaches negligible values, despite the very severe winter.

In summer, in the southern part of the temperate latitudes of Eurasia, anticyclones of a subtropical type are also not uncommon, contributing to hot and dry weather. Summer precipitation is greater, but even they are insufficient due to high evaporation at high summer temperatures, so humidification in the southern part of temperate latitudes is insufficient. In general, 200–450 mm of precipitation falls here annually. As a result, starting from Moldova, through Ukraine, the southern part of the European territory of Russia and further beyond the Urals, up to Mongolia inclusive, steppes stretch, in which dry conditions are often created in summer. IN Caspian lowland steppes turn into a semi-desert, and beyond the Urals, in the northern part of the Turan lowland (Kazakhstan), even into a desert, i.e. in an area with a permanently dry (arid) climate. In Kherson (46.6°N, 32.6°E) the average temperature in July is +23°С, in January -4°С; the annual amount of precipitation is 380 mm. In Akhtuba (48.3°N, 46°E) in July +25°С, in January -9°С; precipitation per year 240 mm. In Balkhash (46.9°N, 75.0°E) in July +24°С,
in January -15°С; precipitation for the year 127 mm. Over the same latitude, with distance to the east, winter temperatures decrease and precipitation decreases, landscapes change: from the steppe through the semi-desert to the desert.

In more high latitudes temperate zone of Eurasia, summers are less hot, but still very warm, winters are more severe (for each given longitude), large annual precipitation
(300–600 mm). Continentality also increases from west to east (mainly due to a decrease in winter temperatures): annual temperature amplitudes increase and precipitation decreases. The snow cover here is higher and lasts longer. This is a zone of mixed or deciduous forests. Let's compare the conditions in some of its paragraphs. In Moscow (55.8°N, 37.6°E) the average temperature in July is +18°С, in January –10°С; the annual amount of precipitation is 600 mm. In Kazan (55.8°N, 49°E) in July +20°С, in January -13°С; precipitation for the year 459 mm. In Novosibirsk (55.0°N, 82.9°E) +19°C in July and -19°C in January; precipitation for the year 425 mm. The maximum precipitation everywhere occurs in the summer.

Further north is the taiga zone, which stretches from Scandinavia to the Pacific Ocean, with the same patterns in climate change from west to east, but with more severe winters. The southern border of the taiga zone in the eastward direction will shift towards lower latitudes.
In Transbaikalia, the taiga climate already directly borders on the steppe climate; the zone of deciduous forests between the taiga and the steppe disappears here. To the north, the taiga and its climate go farthest in Taimyr. Summers in the taiga zone are as hot as in lower latitudes, but winters are even colder. It is due to the severity of winter that the climate in the eastern part of the taiga zone reaches the greatest continentality. Precipitation falls in general as much as in the zone of deciduous forests; moistening is generally sufficient, in Western Siberia even leading to swamping.
In Kargopol (61.5° N, 38.9° E) the average temperature in July is +17°С, in January -12°; precipitation for the year 540 mm. In Yeniseisk (58.4°N, 92°E) in July +18°C, in January -223C; precipitation for the year 460 mm. In Yakutsk (62.0°N, 129.6°E) in July +19°C. in January -44°С; rainfall for the year 190 mm. It is in Yakutia that the continentality of the climate reaches its greatest value.

On the mainland of North America, the same types of continental climate of temperate latitudes are found. They are distributed very difficult, partly under the influence of orography. In the west of the inner part of the mainland, protected by the Rocky Mountains from air masses from the Pacific Ocean, deserts and steppes predominate, in the east - deciduous forests. North most of Canada is occupied by taiga, which extends especially far to the north in Alaska. Accordingly, climatic conditions are distributed. Let's take a look at some stations.

In the steppe zone, in Salt Lake City (40.8° N, 112° W), at a considerable height above sea level (1300 m), the average temperature in July is +25°С, in January -2° WITH; precipitation for the year 395 mm. In the zone of deciduous forests, in Chicago (41.9 ° N, 87.6 o W), in July the average temperature is + 23 ° C, in January -4 ° C; precipitation for the year 815 mm.

In more northern latitudes in the taiga zone, at Prince Albert station (53.2°N, 105.6°W), the average temperature in July is +17°C. January –20°С; precipitation for the year 406 mm.

A special type of continental climate is the climate of mountainous regions in temperate latitudes. IN mountainous areas In the Tien Shan, precipitation is more abundant than in the Turan lowland and the Pamirs. In favorable terrain conditions, they can exceed 2000 mm; precipitation decreases from west to east. The temperatures here are, of course, lower than in the lowlands. For example, in Przhevalsk (42.4°N, 78.4°E, 1744 m) +17°C in July and -7.1°C in January.

In the highlands of the Sayan and Altai temperature regime very diverse and depends on the height and topography. Precipitation is significant on the windward slopes (up to 1500 mm or more in Western Altai) and small on the southern slopes and in closed basins (less than 200 mm in Altai).
In the Sayans, on the western and northwestern slopes, the annual precipitation exceeds 1000 mm. Therefore, a large snow cover accumulates on the windward slopes and the snow line decreases.

In North America, very large amounts of precipitation fall on the windward slopes of the Cascade Mountains, more than 2000 mm per year. The maximum precipitation due to increased cyclonic activity occurs in winter, and the snow cover in some places exceeds 5 m. In the Rocky Mountains located to the east, precipitation is less: on the western slopes up to 1000 mm, in the valleys in some places only 150–200 mm. The average January temperatures in the inner valleys and on the plateau are about -5 - 10°C and below. Very sharp temperature fluctuations in winter are often associated with a foehn on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains. There were such cases as an increase in temperature in January with a hair dryer from -31 to + 19 ° C, however, for a considerable time (several tens of hours). Summers are dry and not hot, but, of course, temperatures depend on both latitude and altitude.

Special climate conditions of high steppes and semi-deserts are observed in Mongolia. At altitudes of 700–1200 m and above, there are warm summers and very cold winters with little snow; precipitation is generally very small and falls mainly in summer, since in winter it is the region of the central part of the Asian winter anticyclone. In Ulaanbaatar (47.9° N, 106.8° E, 1309 m) the average temperature in July is +17°С, in January -28°С; very large diurnal temperature ranges. Precipitation (243 mm per year) falls mainly from May to September. In Jargalant (Kobdo) (47.9°N 91.6"E 1370 m) precipitation is even less, about 122 mm, and precipitation is typically summer, winter is almost snowless.

The climate of the western parts of the continents in temperate latitudes. In the western parts of Eurasia and North America, in temperate latitudes, the transfer of marine air masses to the mainland both in winter and in summer sharply prevails. Therefore, here the climate bears a strong imprint of oceanic influences and is a maritime climate. It is characterized by not very hot summers and mild winters without stable snow cover, sufficient rainfall and a more or less even seasonal distribution. That defines the landscape deciduous forests and meadows. Precipitation sharply increases on the western slopes of the mountains.

In North America, due to the presence of the Cascade and Rocky Mountains, this type of climate is limited to a relatively narrow coastal area. IN Western Europe it spreads inland with a gradual increase in continentality. For example, in Paris (48.8°N, 2.5°E) the average temperature in July is +18°C, and in January +3°C; precipitation for the year 613 mm.
In higher latitudes, in Bergen (60.4°N, 5.3°E), in July, precipitation is 1730 mm - the influence of orography affects (Bergen lies to the west of the Scandinavian Mountains, on the coast). Beyond the ridge, inside and in the east of the peninsula, the climate becomes continental. In Stockholm, for example, in July +16°C, in February -3°C, and precipitation for the year is 540 mm with a summer maximum; in terms of landscape, this is already the south of the taiga zone.

In Europe, east of Berlin, the climate becomes continental. Within Russia, this type of climate passes into the continental climate of temperate latitudes, described above. The greatest amounts of precipitation fall in this type of climate in Europe on the windward slopes of the mountains. Above is a large amount of precipitation for Bergen, but at some stations in the Alps, more than 2500 mm falls per year.

The maritime climate for the west of North America is characterized by data from Sitka station in Alaska (57, G N, 135.3° W), where +13°C in August and 0°C in January; the annual amount of precipitation is 2343 mm. But on the slopes of the Cascade Mountains, even greater amounts of precipitation fall out - from 3000 to 6000 mm. Such a huge amount of precipitation is also associated with a pronounced influence of topography.

The climate of the eastern parts of the continents in temperate latitudes. In eastern Asia, the climate is typically monsoonal. Monsoons of temperate latitudes are a continuation of tropical and subtropical monsoons, they are very distinct and are observed approximately to the latitude of northern Sakhalin. The south of Kamchatka is free from them, and over the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and over the north of Kamchatka only a monsoonal tendency is found. Thus, a moderate monsoonal climate is observed in Primorsky Krai, in northeastern China, in northern Japan and on Sakhalin.

In winter, the outskirts of the mainland are shown on the periphery of the Asian anticyclone and the transfer of cold air from Eastern Siberia prevails here, so the winter is cloudy and dry with significant cold and a sharp minimum of precipitation. In summer, cyclonic activity dominates over the east of Asia with fairly heavy precipitation. An example is the data for Khabarovsk (48.5°N, 135.0°E), where the average temperature in July is +21°C, in January -22°C and precipitation is 569 mm per year, from which in the winter half-year (October-March) accounts for only 99 mm.

The situation is more complicated in Japan, where even in winter cyclones with frontal precipitation are quite frequent, which are further enhanced by orography. In summer, on the contrary, there is a relative minimum of precipitation in the middle of the season due to the retreat of cyclonic activity to the north.
As a result, winter can be no less rich in precipitation than summer. In Sapporo (43.1°N, 141.4°E) the average temperature in August is +21°C, in January -6°C; precipitation is 1078 mm per year, and for the winter half of the year 560 mm and for the summer 518 mm.

In the northern regions of Russian Primorye, where the monsoon wind regime is weak or absent, winter is milder due to strong cyclonic activity and the distribution of precipitation throughout the year is uniform. Thus, at Klyuchi station in Kamchatka (56°N, 160°E), the average temperature in July is +15°С, in January –17°С; precipitation is 562 mm per year, of which 314 mm falls in the winter half of the year.

On the Atlantic coast Canada and Newfoundland monsoon circulation is weak or absent. Winters are not as cold as in eastern Asia, and summers are quite warm. For example, in Halifax (44.6°N, 63.6°W) in July and August the average temperature is +18°C, and in January -4°C; precipitation for the year is 1386 mm, and their distribution over the seasons is quite uniform.

In South America, the whole of Patagonia, from about 38 to 52 ° S, can be attributed to the climate of the eastern part of the mainland in temperate latitudes. and from the foothills of the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean. The peculiar geographical situation of the area also creates a peculiar semi-desert climate in close proximity to the ocean. The reason is that from the influence of sea air masses from the Pacific Ocean, Patagonia is closed by the Andes. At the same time, cold air masses of Antarctic origin freely penetrate here from the south. Atlantic air, occasionally intruding into Patagonia, first passes over the cold waters of the Falkland Current, where it becomes steadily stratified, and therefore also does not give much precipitation.

In most of Patagonia, the annual amount of precipitation is 120-200 mm, and in the summer months there are very few of them, no more than 20-30 mm in three months. The average temperature in January is from +20°С in the north to +10°С in the south, i.e. summers are colder compared to the deserts of the Northern Hemisphere under the same latitudes. The average temperature in July is close to +5°С, but on high plateaus it drops to –5°С; consequently, winters are considerably milder than in the extratropical deserts of the Northern Hemisphere. On the low coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the south of Patagonia, in Santa Cruz (50.0 ° S, 68.5 ° W), precipitation falls only 171 mm per year, the average January temperature is + 15 ° C, and June and July +2°С.

Oceanic climate in temperate latitudes. The Atlantic and Pacific oceans occupy large areas in the temperate latitudes of both hemispheres, and Indian Ocean in the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. The prevailing westerly transport is better expressed over the oceans than over the continents, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. The wind speed is greater than over the continents. In the 40th and 50th latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, between the zone of subtropical anticyclones and subantarctic latitudes, where the centers of deep cyclones most often pass, the average wind speeds are 10–15 m/s. Storms here are frequent and prolonged; It was not for nothing that sailors called the 40th latitude of the Southern Hemisphere roaring. The temperature distribution over the oceans is more zonal than over the continents at the same latitudes, and the differences between winter and summer are less pronounced.
In connection with the cold summer, the tundra landscape is located on oceanic islands in such low latitudes, in which there is still no tundra on the continents. Thus, the Aleutian and Commander Islands are covered with tundra, at 55–52 ° N: in the Southern Hemisphere, the Falkland Islands at 52 ° S, South Georgia Island, the South Orkney Islands, etc. are covered with tundra.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the western parts of the oceans are noticeably colder than the eastern ones in winter due to frequent intrusions of cold air masses from the continents. In summer, the difference is less. Cloudiness over the oceans of temperate latitudes is large and precipitation is significant, especially in subpolar latitudes, where the deepest cyclones are observed.

In the zone between 40 and 60°N. in both oceans of the Northern Hemisphere, the average August temperatures are between +22 and +8°C. In February at Atlantic Ocean– from +15 to –10°С, but in pacific ocean much lower - from +10 to -10°C. In general, the temperature difference between the 40th and 60th latitudes decreases from winter to summer. The annual amplitudes here are on the order of 10–15°C. In the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperatures of these oceans are between 40 and 60°S. in February from +15 to 0°С, in August from +10 to –10°С. Dominant westerly winds here are very strong and stable, storms are frequent.


Table of contents
Climatology and meteorology
DIDACTIC PLAN
Meteorology and climatology
Atmosphere, weather, climate
Meteorological observations
Application of cards
Meteorological Service and World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Climate-forming processes
Astronomical factors
Geophysical factors
Meteorological factors
About solar radiation
Thermal and radiative equilibrium of the Earth
direct solar radiation
Changes in solar radiation in the atmosphere and on the earth's surface
Radiation Scattering Phenomena
Total radiation, reflected solar radiation, absorbed radiation, PAR, Earth's albedo
Radiation of the earth's surface
Counter-radiation or counter-radiation
Radiation balance of the earth's surface
Geographic distribution of the radiation balance
Atmospheric pressure and baric field
pressure systems
pressure fluctuations
Air acceleration due to baric gradient
The deflecting force of the Earth's rotation
Geostrophic and gradient wind
baric wind law
Fronts in the atmosphere
Thermal regime of the atmosphere
Thermal balance of the earth's surface
Daily and annual variation of temperature on the soil surface
Air mass temperatures
Annual amplitude of air temperature
Continental climate
Cloud cover and precipitation
Evaporation and saturation
Humidity

As you know, our planet is divided into climatic zones - territories with a homogeneous climate that encircle the Earth. They differ from each other not only in the dominance of a certain air mass, which, by the way, determines the boundaries of the belt, but also in atmospheric pressure, temperature, and the amount of precipitation.

In total, there are 13 climatic zones: 7 main and 6 transitional. Among them is the so-called moderate. Let's dwell on it in more detail.

Temperate climatic zone - the main climatic zone, extending between 40-70 ° northern latitude and 40-55° south latitude. More than half of the surface of the temperate zone in the Northern Hemisphere is land, while in the Southern Hemisphere almost everything is covered with water.

Characteristics of the temperate climate zone.

A moderate air mass distributed throughout the territory brings with it a low atmospheric pressure and high humidity, which dominate in a temperate climate. The seasons here are quite clearly defined, all thanks to the exact change in temperature depending on the season. Winter in a temperate climate is cold, with an abundance of snow, spring is colorful and blooming, summer is warm, and autumn is rainy and windy. Annual precipitation is approximately 500-800 mm.

Climate of the temperate climate zone.

The climate in temperate latitudes is determined by the proximity of territories to the ocean. There are 5 types of climate inherent in this zone:

Monsoon climate.

It is formed on the eastern outskirts of Eurasia. The main feature of this climate is abrupt change humidity throughout the year. For example, in summer there is a lot of rainfall, respectively, the humidity is high. In winter, the opposite is true: the weather is dry and the humidity is very low.

The monsoon climate of temperate latitudes prevails in Far East Russia (Primorye, the middle reaches of the Amur River), in the north of Japan, and also in the northeast of China. In winter, it is formed due to the removal of continental air masses to the periphery of the Asian anticyclone, and in summer, its occurrence is influenced by marine air masses. All indicators (precipitation, temperature, humidity) vary throughout the year, the highest marks are observed in summer.

Maritime climate.

It is formed under the influence of oceanic spaces on the atmosphere. It is characterized by small fluctuations in temperature throughout the year and day, high humidity, as well as a delay of 1-2 months of the highest and low temperatures. The largest number precipitation falls in winter, autumn is warmer than spring. August is considered the warmest month, and February is considered the coldest, all this is due to the fact that water masses heat up and cool more slowly than land. The air of the maritime climate is characterized by a high content sea ​​salts and low dustiness.

Sharply continental climate.

It occurs only in the Northern Hemisphere, since there is no land in the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, which is why continental air masses do not form.

Formed given climate in the south of Siberia and in its mountains. Summers in these areas are warm and sunny (+16-20°C), while winters are frosty (-25-45°C). Precipitation is more frequent in summer than in winter, and peaks in July.

The weather here is rich in anticyclones, the humidity is low, there is little precipitation (400 mm), and the winds are not strong. The sharply continental climate is also characterized by high fluctuations in annual and daily temperatures.

Moderate continental climate.

This type of climate is also formed in the Northern Hemisphere for the same reason. It is most widely distributed in Siberia and Transbaikalia.

In winter, the so-called Siberian (Asian) anticyclone is formed here: the air cools down to -30°-40°. This season is longer compared to summer, but more precipitation falls in the warm season (50-60 mm). The average annual rainfall is 375 mm.

The temperate continental climate is also characterized by: small cloudiness, rapid heating of the air during the day and its sharp cooling at night, deep freezing of the earth.

Continental climate.

In temperate latitudes given type The climate is characterized by a large annual and daily amplitude of air temperature. Winter is cold here, summer is hot. Unlike the maritime climate, the continental one has a lower average annual temperature and humidity, as well as an increased level of dust content in the air. Light cloudiness is often found here, and the annual amount of precipitation is also small. In addition, the continental climate is characterized by the presence of strong winds (dust storms occur in some areas).

Temperature values ​​of the temperate climate zone.

As already mentioned, the temperate zone is characterized by a sharp seasonal change in temperature. In winter, the indicators are always below zero, on average, the air cools down to -10 °. In summer, the thermometer will show no lower than + 15 °. The temperature drops as you approach one of the poles. Maximums (+35°) are found on the border with the subtropics, and on the border with the subpolar strip it is always cool: no higher than +20°.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone.

In temperate latitudes, 3 main types of natural zones are distinguished: forests, forest-steppes, and arid zones.

Forest Zone

Taiga

The forests are characterized by the taiga zone, mixed and broad-leaved forests.

Taiga is located in two continents: North America and Eurasia. Its area is 15 km2. The relief is predominantly flat, rarely intersected by river valleys. Due to the harsh climate, the soils are weak, large deciduous trees do not grow in the taiga. Moreover, falling from coniferous plants needles containing poisonous substances deplete the already scarce land.

Winters here are frosty, dry, lasting more than six months. Summer is short but warm. Spring and autumn are also very short. The highest temperature in the tundra reaches +21°, and the lowest - -54°.

mixed forests

Mixed forests can be called a transitional link between the taiga and deciduous forests. As the name suggests, both coniferous and deciduous trees grow in this zone. Mixed forests extend in Russia, New Zealand, North and South America.

The climate of the zone of mixed forests is quite mild. In winter the temperature drops to -15°, in summer it reaches +17°-24°. Summer period it is warmer here than in the taiga.

This zone is also characterized by layered vegetation: with a change in altitude, the view changes. The highest tier is made up of oaks, spruces and pines. The second tier includes birches, lindens and wild apple trees. The third is viburnum and mountain ash (the lowest trees), the fourth consists of shrubs (rose hips, raspberries). The last, fifth, is filled with herbs, mosses and lichens.

broadleaf forests

Broad-leaved forests consist mainly of deciduous plants. The climate in this area is mild: winters are mild, summers are long and warm.

In especially dense parts of the zone, the grass cover is poorly developed due to the dense crowns of trees. The earth is covered with a dense layer of fallen leaves, which, when decomposed, saturates forest soils.

Forest steppe zone

Forest-steppe - a belt of vegetation in Eurasia, characterized by a change of forests and steppes. As you move south, the number of trees and precipitation decreases, steppes appear, and the climate becomes hotter. Moving in a northerly direction, you can observe the opposite picture.

About the climate: the forest-steppe is characterized by cool winter with an abundance of snow and hot, humid summers. The average temperature in January is -2°-20°, in July - +18°-25°.

The soil cover of the forest-steppe contains a lot of humus and is characterized by a stable structure. These soils can be cultivated, but without over-plowing.

Arid zones are steppes, semi-deserts and deserts.

Arid zones: steppes, deserts and semi-deserts

Steppes

The steppes are located between the zone of semi-desert and forest-steppe. main feature this zone is arid.

The climate here fluctuates between temperate continental and sharply continental. Summers are very sunny, and winters are windy, although with little snow. The average annual rainfall is 250-450 mm.

Steppe soils are represented mainly by chernozems, with the advancement to the south they become less fertile, are replaced by chestnut soils with an admixture of salts. Due to their fertility, steppe soils are used for growing various horticultural and agricultural crops, and are also used for pastures.

desert

Deserts extend far from the oceans, making them inaccessible to moisture-bearing winds. Hence their main property is excessive aridity. Humidity is almost zero throughout the year.

Due to dry air, the land is not protected from solar radiation, so in the daytime the temperature rises to + 50 °: there is a sizzling heat. However, at night there is a sharp cooling due to the rapid cooling of the soil. Sometimes daily temperature amplitudes reach 40°.

The relief of deserts differs significantly from other zones. There are mountains, plains and plateaus here, but they are created by wind and turbulent water flows after heavy rains, therefore they have an unusual appearance.

semi-deserts

The semi-desert is a transition zone from the steppe to the desert. It extends in Eurasia from the Caspian lowland to Eastern China.

A sharply continental climate prevails here, the winter is quite cold (-20 °). The amount of precipitation per year is 150-250 mm.

The soils of the semi-deserts are light chestnut (poor in humus), as in the steppe; there are also brown desert soils. As you move south, the desert properties intensify, and the steppe ones fade away. The characteristic vegetation is wormwood-grass, growing discontinuously.

Temperate countries.

The temperate climate zone occupies a fairly large area. It extends into Eurasia, America and embraces both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

North hemisphere:

  • North America: USA, Canada;
  • Europe: Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Italy, France, UK, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Belgium, Netherlands;
  • Asia: North Korea, China, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and part of Russia.

Southern Hemisphere:

  • South America: Chile, Argentina;
  • the island of Tasmania;
  • French south polar territories;
  • New Zealand.

Temperate climate zone in Russia

On the territory of the Russian Federation, this belt is the longest and most populated. In this regard, it is divided into 5 regions that differ from each other in climate:

  1. Magadan and the Sea of ​​Okhotsk are located in the maritime climate area.
  2. The region of the monsoon climate is Vladivostok and the Amur River, which flows into the Sea of ​​Okhotsk.
  3. The sharply continental climate consists of Chita, Yakutsk and Lake Baikal.
  4. The continental climate absorbed Tobolsk and Krasnoyarsk.
  5. Moscow, St. Petersburg and Astrakhan are located in the region of temperate continental climate.

Fauna of the temperate climate zone.

Diversity climatic conditions in the temperate climate zone gave rise to many representatives of the animal world. In the large green forests you can meet birds and herbivores, there are also many predators that are at the top. the food chain. Consider typical representatives of these territories.

Red panda, or as it is also called - small. Lives in China. Today it is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species.

This cutest animal looks like a small cat, raccoon or fox. The size of the red panda is small: males weigh 3.7-6.2 kg, females about 6 kg. The body length is 51-64 cm. The large fluffy tail serves the pandas not only for beauty, but also as an attribute for traveling through the trees.

The muzzle of these animals is short, the beady eyes are dark brown, the black nose looks like a dog's.

Despite such a pretty appearance, red pandas are predators. However, in reality, they practically do not eat animals, the basis of their diet is bamboo, but due to the structure of the stomach of a predator, only a small part of what they eat is digested. Therefore, sometimes you have to hunt small rodents. In addition, pygmy pandas eat berries and mushrooms.

Robin- a small bird of the thrush family. The name comes from the word "dawn": it is at this time that she begins to sing. Lives throughout Europe.

Differs in small size: body length 14 cm, wingspan 20 cm, the robin weighs only 16 g.

The color of males and females is the same: brown back and bluish feathers on the neck and sides.

Robins feed mainly on insects (spiders, beetles, worms). In winter, they prefer berries and seeds (mountain ash, currant, spruce seeds).

white tailed deer- Another representative of the temperate climate zone. It lives in North America, mainly in southern Canada.

The size of white-tailed deer varies depending on the area of ​​​​residence. Average weight males is 68 kg, females - 45 kg. The average height at the withers is 55-120 cm, tail length is 10-37 cm.

The color of white-tailed deer changes according to the season: in spring and summer the skin is red-brown, and in autumn and winter it is gray-brown. The tail of these deer is brown and white at the end. With their tail raised, these animals signal an impending danger. Branched horns grow only in males, who shed them at the end of the mating season.

The diet of white-tailed deer is varied, the stomach allows them to enjoy even poison ivy. They also feed on berries, fruits, acorns, and grass. Sometimes they eat mice and chicks.

Thus, the temperate climate zone can be called the most interesting of all existing due to its developed climate and diverse fauna.