Climatic zones of the earth. Climatic conditions in the tropics What is the rainfall regime in the tropical zone

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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. average temperature air fluctuates 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, and cumulonimbus clouds form, 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 - wet equatorial forests- guile (in South America moist forests 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(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. Feature of this belt is the change of air masses by seasons: 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. Total precipitation is 1500 mm, on the windward slopes of the mountains their amount increases sharply (Cherapunji - 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). In view of high blood pressure and downward currents of air, condensation of water vapor almost does not occur, therefore 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 (the trade winds blow from the ocean) is characterized by a large amount of precipitation - 1500 mm (Greater Antilles, the east coast of the Brazilian Plateau, the 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 coasts of North and South America, Africa, and is weakly expressed in Australia. 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 climatic zones of the world, back up the names of the main climatic 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 cause of uneven illumination and heating of the 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.

Antarctic belt - southern natural geographic belt Earth, including Antarctica with adjacent islands and 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 radiation balance; - Antarctic climate with low air temperatures; - long polar night; - the predominance of ice deserts on land; - Significant ice cover of the ocean.

In Russia and on the territory former USSR the classification of climate types, created in 1956 by the famous Soviet climatologist B.P. Alisov, was used. 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) Which territories of Russia receive the largest number 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 contour map Russian climate borders

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 textbook drawings, establish how climatic conditions change 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, the south of the 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) Determine by climate map total solar radiation and humidity 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). 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° northern latitude to 4°-11°S latitude, between the 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. Persistent warm and humid equatorial climate caused by large influx 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 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 the characteristic zone of the belt, a snow cover is created in winter.
4) The climatic zone of the Arctic (Antarctic)-Type: constant core -location: The dog occupies the polar regions of the Earth. largest area occupies the Antarctic belt, stretching almost the entire continent.

In the northern hemisphere, it is 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 covered with a huge kilo of shells glacial glaciers. 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. Most very coldy 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. 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 provides greatest influence on the climate of Russia

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 the crocodiles that adore muddy waters small forest streams. All this - equatorial belt. On its climate big influence have trade winds, bringing here 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 (earth) and the ocean is different, therefore, the continental tropical climate and oceanic tropical climate.

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.

Photo: Shutterstock.com

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

IN 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 all year round bring rainfall. 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 that blow from the ocean to the mainland, so there is a rather cool summer here (+15 -20°C) and warm winter(from +5°С). The precipitation brought westerly winds, fall all year round (from 500 to 1000 mm, in the mountains up to 6000 mm).

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

Photo: Shutterstock.com

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. To the north are: 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. TO southern belt include: 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.

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 indicators such as high Atmosphere pressure, a little cloudy, low humidity air, low rainfall, persistent anticyclonic air circulation, constant winds east direction- trade winds.

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

During the summer months average annual temperature air 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 winter months rises to the level of +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 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 has great importance. To shape the climate sea ​​coasts And island countries Ocean currents play an important role.

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.

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

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 a tropical climate as non-arid. average monthly temperature air 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, natural area savannah, and sometimes it is called that - the tropical climate of the savannahs.

It was formed in both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, these will be Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, southern India, Sri Lanka, southern papua new guinea and 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 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. Blue color sea ​​water says that it is a "sea desert".

The water of the tropical part of the ocean is supersaturated with carbonates, which makes it possible for mollusks and coral polyps build your inner skeleton and shells out of 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 taken together.

Meridional flows in the tropics in the surface layers are rather weak, the latitudinal transport of water is predominant. Temperature upper layers, as well as the distribution of animals in the tropical Pacific Ocean, to a large extent determine 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.

Quite diverse and regularly changes with latitude, i.e., zonal. Therefore, climatic zones are distinguished on the planet - latitudinal bands, each of which has a relatively uniform climate. In total, in both hemispheres (Northern and Southern) there are 13 climatic zones (see the atlas map " Climatic zones and regions). Their boundaries are determined by two factors: the amount of solar radiation and superior air masses.

Distinguish between the main and transitional climatic zones. In the main climatic zones, where one of the zonal types of air masses prevails during the year, there are equatorial, tropical, temperate, arctic and antarctic belt.

Transitional climatic zones are also called sub-belts (from the Latin "sub" - "under", that is, under the main ones). Zonal air masses here change seasonally, coming from neighboring main belts. At the same time, they move with the Sun. So, when the Northern Hemisphere has a warm season, all air masses move to the north, and when it is cold, on the contrary, to the south.
On the map of the atlas "Climatic zones and regions" find the main and transitional climatic zones.

Main types of climate

The type of climate is understood as a constant set climate indicators characteristic of a long period of time in a certain area. These indicators are:

• the amount of solar radiation;
• average temperature of the warmest and coldest months;
• annual amplitude of temperature fluctuations;
• prevailing air masses;
• average annual precipitation and the mode of their precipitation.

The equatorial, antarctic and arctic climatic zones have only one type of climate, since they are characterized by constant air masses throughout the year. In the tropical, temperate zones and all climatic sub-zones, climatic regions are also distinguished. Each of them has its own type of climate.

Equatorial climate zone

At the equator, where the Sun is at its zenith twice a year, high air temperatures are observed throughout the year (+26 ° С - +28 ° С). The annual amplitude is small, about 2 ° -3 ° С. Humid equatorial air masses prevail here. Daily showers cause a large annual amount of precipitation - about 2000-3000 mm. They fall evenly throughout the year.

tropical belts

Above tropical latitudes The sun is also at its zenith. (At what time?) The dryness of tropical air masses, in the belt, causes a high transparency of the atmosphere.
Therefore, the amount of solar radiation here is large, which causes very high air temperatures. The usual temperature of the warmest month is +30 ° С, the coldest +15 ° - +16 ° С. the globe- almost +58 ° С. But in winter the surface cools down very quickly, frosts occur on the soil.
Depending on the amount of precipitation in the tropical zone, there are sharp climatic contrasts. In the west and in the interior of the continents, an area of ​​a tropical desert type of climate is formed. Descending air movements prevail here, less than 100 mm of precipitation falls annually.

In the east of the tropical belts of the continents, there is an area of ​​​​a humid tropical climate type. It is dominated by marine tropical air masses coming from the trade winds from the oceans. Therefore, on the eastern coasts, especially in the mountains, several thousand millimeters of precipitation can fall during the year.

temperate zones

In temperate latitudes, the amount of solar radiation fluctuates markedly over 12 months, so the seasons are pronounced. Moderate air masses prevail here throughout the year.

The temperate zone is characterized by significant climatic differences due to the nature of the underlying surface and the peculiarities of the circulation of air masses. Here are a few climatic regions with the corresponding types of climate.
Region marine type climate is formed over the oceanic expanses and on the western outskirts of the continents. The annual temperature amplitude is to blame here due to the influence of the ocean. The amount of precipitation is high, over 1000 mm per year. Summer is cool, winter is mild.
Region temperate continental climate type(transitional to continental) is typical for the territory of Ukraine. So, in Kyiv, the average temperature in January is -6 ° С, in July +19 ° С, the amount of precipitation is 660 mm per year.

The interior regions of the continents, remote from the ocean, are in the area of ​​the continental type of climate. It is characterized by a small amount of precipitation and a significant annual amplitude of temperature fluctuations. In some areas, for example in Siberia, the difference between the maximum summer and winter temperatures is more than 100 ° (more than +40 ° C in summer, -60 ° C in winter).
On the eastern outskirts of the continents in the temperate zone, an area of ​​\u200b\u200bmonsoon-type climate was formed. It is characterized by an annual alternation of two seasons - warm wet and cold dry. The wet summer season with heavy rains is ten times more rainy than the dry one. For example, on the Pacific coast, up to 95% of the annual precipitation sometimes falls in summer. The average July temperature exceeds +20°C, while in winter it drops below -20°C.

Arctic and Antarctic belts have similar climatic conditions. The amount of solar radiation is very high on a polar day, but the high albedo causes the predominance of cold and dry arctic or antarctic air masses in these belts. Temperatures throughout the year are mostly negative. Precipitation is less than 200 mm per year.

Appeared in the 70s of the XIX century and had a descriptive character. According to the classification of professor of Moscow State University B.P. Alisov, there are 7 types of climates on Earth, which make up climatic zones. 4 of them are main, and 3 are transitional. The main types are:

Equatorial climate zone. This type of climate is characterized by the dominance of the equatorial throughout the year. On the days of the spring (March 21) and autumn (September 21) equinoxes, the Sun is at its zenith and greatly heats the Earth. The air temperature in this climatic zone is constant (+24-28°С). At sea, temperature fluctuations can generally be less than 1°. The annual amount of precipitation is significant (up to 3000 mm), on the windward slopes of the mountains precipitation can fall up to 6000 mm. Precipitation here exceeds evaporation, so equatorial climate swamped, and thick and tall grow on them. The climate of this zone is also influenced by the trade winds, which bring an abundance of precipitation here. The equatorial type of climate is formed over the northern regions; on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, above the basin and headwaters, including the shores in Africa; over most of the Indonesian archipelago and adjacent parts and the Pacific Oceans in Asia.
Tropical climate zone. This type of climate forms two tropical climatic zones (in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere) over the following territories.

In this type of climate, the state of the atmosphere over the mainland and the ocean is different, therefore, a continental and oceanic tropical climate is distinguished.

Continental climate zone: a large area is dominated by the region, so there is very little precipitation here (from 100-250 mm). The mainland tropical climate is characterized by very hot summers (+35-40°С). In winter the temperature is much lower (+10-15°С). The daily fluctuations in temperature are great (up to 40 °C). The absence of clouds in the sky leads to the formation of clear and cold nights (clouds could trap the heat coming from the Earth). Sharp daily and seasonal temperature changes contribute, which gives a lot of sand and dust. They are picked up and can be carried over considerable distances. These dusty sandstorms are a great danger to the traveler.

Mainland tropical climates The western and eastern coasts of the continents are very different from each other. Cold currents pass along the western coasts of South America and Africa, so the climate here is characterized by relatively low air temperature (+ 18-20 ° C) and low rainfall (less than 100 mm). Along the eastern coasts of these continents are warm currents, so the temperatures are higher and there is more rainfall.

Oceanic tropical climate similar to the equatorial, but differs from it by smaller and more stable winds. Summer over the oceans is not so hot (+20-27°С), and winter is cool (+10-15°С). Precipitation falls mainly in summer (up to 50 mm). Moderate. There is a significant impact westerly winds bringing rainfall all year round. Summer in this climatic zone is moderately warm (from +10°С to +25-28°С). Winter is cold (from +4°С to -50°С). Annual precipitation is from 1000 mm to 3000 mm along the outskirts of the mainland and up to 100 mm in the interior. There are clear differences between the seasons. This type of climate also forms two belts in the northern and southern hemispheres and is formed over territories (from 40-45 ° north to the polar circles). Above these territories, an area of ​​low pressure and active cyclonic activity is formed. Temperate climates are divided into two subtypes:

1. nautical, which dominates in the western parts of North America, South America, is formed with the direct impact of westerly winds from the ocean to the mainland, therefore it is characterized by cool summers (+ 15-20 ° С) and warm winter(from +5°С). Precipitation brought by western winds falls all year round (from 500 mm to 1000 mm, in the mountains up to 6000 mm);
2. continental, dominating in the central regions of the continents, differs from it. Cyclones penetrate here less often than in coastal areas, so the summer is warm here (+ 17-26 ° C), and the winter is cold (-10-24 ° C) with a stable multi-month. Due to the considerable length of Eurasia from west to east, the most pronounced continental climate is observed in Yakutia, where average January temperatures can drop to -40 ° C and there is little precipitation. This is because the interior of the mainland is not as influenced by the oceans as the coasts, where moist winds not only bring precipitation, but also moderate the heat in summer and frost in winter.

The monsoon subtype, which dominates in the east of Eurasia to Korea and in the north, in the northeast, is characterized by a change in stable winds (monsoons) by season, which affects the amount and pattern of precipitation. It blows here in winter cold wind from the continent, so the winter is clear and cold (-20-27°C). In summer, winds bring warm, rainy weather. In Kamchatka, 1600 to 2000 mm of precipitation falls.

In all subtypes of the temperate climate, only moderate air masses dominate.

Polar type of climate. Above 70 ° north and 65 ° south latitudes, the polar climate dominates, forming two belts: and. Polar air masses dominate here throughout the year. The sun does not appear at all for several months (polar night) and does not go below the horizon for several months (polar day). Snow and ice radiate more heat than they receive, so the air is very cold and does not melt all year round. Throughout the year, these areas are dominated by a high pressure area, so the winds are weak, there are almost no clouds. There is very little precipitation, the air is saturated with small ice needles. Settling, they give a total of only 100 mm of precipitation per year. The average temperature in summer does not exceed 0°С, and in winter -20-40°С. Long drizzle is typical for summer.

Equatorial, tropical, temperate, polar types of climate are considered the main ones, since within their zones the air masses characteristic of them dominate throughout the year. Between the main climatic zones are transitional, having the prefix "sub" in the name (Latin "under"). In transitional climatic zones, air masses change seasonally. They come here from neighboring belts. This is explained by the fact that as a result of the movement of the Earth around its axis, the climatic zones shift to the north, then to the south.

There are three additional type climate:

subequatorial climate. In summer, this zone is dominated by equatorial air masses, and in winter - by tropical ones.

Summer: a lot of precipitation (1000-3000 mm), average +30°С. The sun reaches its zenith in spring and scorches mercilessly.

Winter is cooler than summer (+14°C). There is little rainfall. The soils dry out after the summer rains, therefore, in the subequatorial climate, unlike, swamps are rare. The territory is favorable for human settlement, therefore it is here that many centers of the emergence of civilization are located -,. According to N.I. , it is from here that many varieties of cultivated plants originated. to the north subequatorial belt include: South America (Isthmus of Panama,); Africa (Sahel belt); Asia (India, all of Indochina, South China,). The southern subequatorial belt includes: South America (lowland,); Africa (center and east of the mainland); (northern coast of the mainland).

subtropical climate. Tropical air masses dominate here in summer, while air masses of temperate latitudes, carrying precipitation, invade here in winter. This determines the following weather in these areas: hot, dry summers (from +30 to +50°С) and relatively cold winters with precipitation, stable snow cover is not formed. The annual rainfall is about 500 mm. Inside the continents in subtropical latitudes, there is little precipitation in winter. The climate of dry subtropics dominates here with hot summers (up to +50°С) and unstable winters, when frosts down to -20°С are possible. In these areas, precipitation is 120 mm or less. In the western parts of the continents, it dominates, which is characterized by hot, cloudy summers without precipitation and cool, windy and rainy winters. More precipitation falls in the Mediterranean climate than in the dry subtropics. The annual amount of precipitation here is 450-600 mm. The Mediterranean climate is extremely favorable for human life, which is why the most famous summer resorts are located here. Valuable subtropical crops are grown here: citrus fruits, grapes, olives.

The subtropical climate of the eastern shores of the continents is monsoonal. Winter here is cold and dry compared to other climates, and summer is hot (+25°С) and humid (800 mm). This is due to the influence of the monsoons, blowing from land to sea in winter, and from sea to land in summer, bringing precipitation in summer. The monsoonal subtropical climate is well expressed only in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in east coast Asia. Heavy rainfall in summer time give the opportunity to develop magnificent. On fertile soils it is developed here, supporting the life of more than a billion people.

subpolar climate. In summer, humid air masses come here from temperate latitudes, so the summer is cool (from +5 to +10 ° C) and about 300 mm of precipitation falls (in the northeast of Yakutia 100 mm). As elsewhere, precipitation increases on windward slopes. Despite the small amount of precipitation, the moisture does not have time to evaporate completely, therefore, in the north of Eurasia and North America, small lakes are scattered in the subpolar zone, and large areas are swamped. In winter, the weather in this climate is influenced by arctic and antarctic air masses, so there are long, cold winters, temperatures can reach as low as -50°C. Subpolar climatic zones are located only on the northern outskirts of Eurasia and North America and in Antarctic waters.