Transcript Tropical moist climates

Chapter 13: Global
climate
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A world with many climates
Climatic classification - the Köppen system
The global pattern of climate
A world with many
climates
Global temperatures
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controls on climate:
- intensity of sunshine and its variation with
latitude
- distribution of land and water
- ocean currents
- prevailing winds
- location of high and low pressure areas
- mountain barriers
- altitude
‘bending’ of isotherms near continents
Global precipitation
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relationship to areas of rising and sinking
air
influence of ITCZ
influence of orographic uplift and rain
shadows
• Precipitation is most abundant where air rises,
and least abundant where it sinks.
Climatic classification
- the Köppen system
Climatic classification - the
Köppen system
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Tropical moist climates
dry climates
moist midlatitude climates with mild winters
moist midlatitude climates with severe winters
polar climates
criticisms of the Köppen climate classification
system
• The Köppen climate classification system was first
published in 1918.
The global pattern of
climate
The global pattern of climate
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Major features of Earth’s climate
distribution
local variations within larger climate
regions
Tropical moist climates
(Group A)
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tropical wet (Af)
• Tropical rain forests and monsoons are included in this category
Tropical moist climates
(Group A)
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tropical monsoon (Am)
Tropical moist climates
(Group A)
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tropical wet and dry (Aw)
Dry climates (Group B)
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arid (BW)
• Deserts and steppes are included in this category
Dry climates (Group B)
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semiarid (BS)
Moist subtropical mid-latitude
climates (Group C)
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humid subtropical (CfA)
• Hot, muggy summers and relatively mild winters are typical
of this category
Moist subtropical mid-latitude
climates (Group C)
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marine (CfB)
Moist subtropical mid-latitude
climates (Group C)
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Mediterranean (Cs)
Moist continental climates
(Group D)
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humid continental with hot summers (Dfa)
• This category is sometimes referred to as a Mediterranean climate
Moist continental climates
(Group D)
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humid continental with cool summers (Dfb)
Moist continental climates
(Group D)
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subpolar (Dfc)
Polar climates (Group E)
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polar tundra (ET)
• This climate is not necessarily found at in the polar
regions; it is sometimes found at high altitudes. There,
however, it is called a Highland climate (Group H).
Polar climates (Group E)
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polar ice caps (EF)
Highland climates (Group H)
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altitude effects are similar to latitude
effects