Climate Classification Chapter 7

Climate Classification Chapter 7

Climate Systems Earth is extremely diverse No two places exactly the same Similarities between places allow grouping into regions Climates influence ecosystems Why do we classify? Provides a useful tool for learning and research Simplifies, organizes and generalizes a vast amount of data into a comprehensible system. Explains distribution of climates over the earth 2

Insolation Components of Climate Effects the amount of solar energy a place receives Temperature Latitude, elevation, land-water heating, clouds Air pressure Subtropical highs, Equatorial lows Air masses Source of air mass impacts climate of areas it moves to Precipitation Amount, type and seasonality of moisture 3

Koppen System Most widely used system Mean annual and monthly temperature and precipitation Subdivisions based on temperature and precipitation Some problems, but overall good system

Modified Koppen System

Climographs Graphical representations of average monthly temperature and precipitation Displays precise details of climate

Tropical Humid Climates (A) Winterless Latitude is the main character of this Climate Equatorial regions to 25 o Rarely interrupted High moisture Three types of tropical humid climates

Tropical Wet Climate(Af) Wettest of all climates Seasonless Amazon, Northern Congo, Indonesia

Tropical Savanna (Aw) most extensive of A climates North and south of Af Clear seasons with wet and dry periods

Tropical Monsoon (Am) Heavy summer rains Coastal regions

Dry Climates (B) Covers more land than any other climate Caused by lack of air uplift In Midlatitudes, covers great distances

Subtropical desert (BWh) Rain shadow Cool offshore water inhibits precipitation Very little precipitation Midlatitude desert (BWk) similar

Subtropical Steppe (BSh) Rainfall more reliable Surrounds desert Midlatitude Steppe (BSk) similar

Mild Midlatitude Climate (C) Long, hot summers and short, mild winters Variable Precipitation Subdivisions based on precipitation seasonality

Mediterranean (Csa, Csb) West side of continents Precipitation from westerlies in winter Hot, dry summer Southern California, Chile, South Africa, Australia, South Europe

Southern California Mediterranean Climate Sub-Tropical High Cloudless days Low moisture Dry summer Wet winter 17

Southern California Climate Temperature inversion Marine layer June Gloom El Nino Santa Ana Winds The Pineapple Express Earthquake weather 18

Humid Subtropical (Cfa, Cwa) East side of continents Summer warm, hot and humid = precipitation Midlatitude cyclones bring precipitation

Marine West Coast (Cfb, Cfc) 40 to 60 degrees latitude mild temperatures and oceanic influence Wettest of the midlatitudes Dominate climate control is maritime influence

Severe Midlatitude Climate (D) Only occurs in the northern hemisphere Requires large continental land mass Four seasons with long, cold winters Moderate precipitation

Humid Continental (Dfa, Dfb, Dwa, Dwb) 35 to 60 degrees latitude Warm to hot summer, cold winter Summer distinctively wetter Variability of weather, seasonal and daily Cold and heat waves, thunderstorms, tornados, blizzards

Subarctic (Dfc, Dwc, Dfd, Dwd) High latitudes 50 to 70 degrees latitude Long, dark, cold winter Short, warm summer with occasional frost Little precipitation

Polar Climates (E) No month has an average temperature over 50 degrees Little insolation Low angle of incidence Ice covered Very dry because evaporation is so low

Tundra (ET) Plant life determines climate Treeline Permafrost 1 to 4 months above freezing

Ice Cap (EF) Greenland and most of Antartica Average monthly temperatures below freezing Permanent ice and snow Strong winds and blowing snow

Highlands (H) Determined by altitude Climate closely related to nearby lowlands Daily temperature range very high Rapid clouds and precipitation Treeline altitude at which trees no longer grow