Which hemisphere is in the temperate zone? What are the characteristics of the temperate zone? Its characteristics, features and varieties

On Earth, depending on the prevailing type of climate, the following climate zones are distinguished: two polar (Arctic and Antarctic), two temperate, two tropical, one equatorial and transitional - two subequatorial, two subtropical, two subpolar.

Equatorial belt extends to the basins of the Amazon and Congo rivers, the shores of the Gulf of Guinea, and the Sunda Islands. The sun occupies a high position all year round, due to which earth's surface gets very hot. Average annual temperatures in this climate zone temperatures range from 25 to 28 °C. Moreover, this area is characterized by high humidity (70-90%). Annual precipitation is usually more than 2000 mm, and it is evenly distributed throughout the year. Thanks to the constant hot weather and high humidity, the preconditions are created for the development of lush vegetation - the equatorial jungle.

Subequatorial belts cover a vast territory, in particular Central Africa north and east of the Congo River basins, the Brazilian Highlands in South America, the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas, Northern Australia. Characteristic feature climate of a given zone is the change in types of air masses during the seasons: in summer period the entire territory is covered by equatorial masses, and in winter by tropical ones. Accordingly, two seasons are distinguished: summer wet and winter tropical. Most of the belt's territory is covered by open forests and savannas.

Tropical zone located on both sides of the tropics on sea and land. Tropical air masses prevail here all year round. In the presence of high atmospheric pressure and slight cloudiness, it is characterized by high temperatures. Average monthly temperature the hottest month is more than 30 °C. There is very little precipitation here (less than 200 mm). It is in this belt that the most extensive deserts in the world are located - the Sahara, the desert of the Arabian Peninsula, and Western Australia.

Subtropical zone passes between 25° and 40° north and south latitude. The climate here is characterized by changing types of air masses according to the seasons of the year. Thus, tropical air dominates in summer, and air masses of temperate latitudes dominate in winter. This belt further subdivided into three climatic region: western, eastern and central. Summer in the western region is characterized by clear and dry weather, while winter is warm and humid. This is the so-called Mediterranean climate. In the central and eastern regions the climate is slightly different.

Temperate zone extends north and south from the subtropical and reaches the polar circles. In the Southern Hemisphere it is characterized by an oceanic climate; in the Northern Hemisphere it is divided into three climatic regions: western, central and eastern. The western region and the Southern Hemisphere are dominated by humid sea ​​air. Annual amplitudes temperatures are low. The distribution of precipitation throughout the year is uniform. A decrease in temperature in winter is observed due to the movement of Arctic (Antarctic) air masses. The eastern region has a monsoon climate. Continental air masses of temperate latitudes accumulate in the central region and are characterized by sharp temperature changes throughout the year. The transitional subarctic and subantarctic zones extend north of the temperate zones of the two hemispheres. They are characterized by changes in air masses in accordance with the changing seasons of the year. Summer is short and cold, winter is long, snowy, with frosts and snowstorms. The Arctic and Antarctic belts lie in the polar regions. The climate here is formed at high atmospheric pressure by cold air masses. Characteristic feature These zones include polar nights and days lasting up to six months. The ice sheet does not melt and covers Antarctica and Greenland.

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Equatorial belt. Equatorial air masses (EA) all year round, low pressure zone. Climatic regions within the belt are not expressed. Temperatures are high all year round, there is excessive moisture, and there is a lot of precipitation. Seasonal fluctuations in average monthly temperatures, pressure and precipitation are insignificant, winds are weak. Weather: before noon - hot sunny, after noon - heavy rains.

Subequatorial belts. Seasonal change of air masses: in summer - equatorial (EV), in winter - tropical (TV). In summer, climatic and weather the same as in equatorial belt, in winter - as in a tropical, desert climate region (kTV). Winter is slightly cooler than summer, but is dry.

Tropical zones. Tropical air masses all year round (TA), predominance of continental tropical air (CTA). The pressure is high, the temperature is high, but in winter it is slightly lower than in summer. Significant annual and daily amplitude of temperature fluctuations. There is almost no precipitation, negligible humidity, strong hot dry winds and dust storms. So dry hot climate are called arid, and those parts of the tropical zones in which such climatic conditions are typical are called areas of tropical, desert climate. The weather is clear, sunny, dry.

On eastern coasts continents washed by warm currents, the climatic conditions are different, the climatic region is different. Such areas are called wet areas tropical climate. Tropical sea air (MTA) dominates here, there is a lot of precipitation, especially in summer, and there is excessive moisture. Monsoons are typical. The weather is similar to equatorial.

Subtropical zones. Seasonal change of air masses: tropical (TV) in summer, moderate (HC or MF) in winter. The pressure is high in summer and relatively low in winter. Significant seasonal differences in temperature and precipitation, but temperatures are positive throughout almost the entire year. Although short-term decreases to negative values and even snowfall. On the plains it melts quickly; in the mountains it can persist for several months. In summer, trade winds predominate, in winter - westerly winds.

Within the subtropical zones there are four climatic regions in accordance with changes in the properties of air masses when moving from the oceans to the interior of the continents.

Region Mediterranean maritime climate - in Western and southern coasts continents of the northern hemisphere. In summer, continental tropical air masses (CTA) dominate, in winter - marine and continental temperate air masses (mW and MW). Relatively hot and dry summer, mild and wet winter. Region of continental subtropical climate - continental tropical air (CTA) predominates in summer, moderate continental air (TCA) predominates in winter; hot and dry summers, cool, relatively wet winters with unstable frontal weather. Humidification is generally insufficient.

Monsoon subtropical climate region- on the eastern coasts of the continents. The summer monsoon (mTW) produces heat and humidity, while the winter monsoon (WM) produces comparative coolness and relative dryness. There is sufficient moisture, the total amount of precipitation is about 1000 mm, falling mainly in winter.

Marine subtropical climate region- on the southern and eastern coasts of the continents of the southern hemisphere. In winter and summer, marine air masses predominate, so summers are cooler and winters are warmer than in other areas of the subtropical zone. Humidification is high and uniform throughout the year.

Temperate zones. Moderate air masses (AM) dominate throughout the year, but invasions of air masses (especially in summer) and air masses (usually in winter) are possible. Large seasonal differences in temperature: summers are warm, sometimes hot, winters are cold, frosty, and long. Atmospheric pressure is relatively low throughout the year, intense cyclonic and frontal activity generates instability of climatic and weather conditions, especially in winter. There are westerly winds throughout the year, with north-easterly winds often blowing in winter and trade winds sometimes blowing in summer. In winter, many areas of the belt experience long-lasting and stable snow cover. Within the temperate zone, the properties of air masses change from west to east, especially in the northern hemisphere, therefore five climatic regions are distinguished within the temperate zone:

Marine area temperate climate - on the western coasts of continents, it is formed under the influence of hydrocarbons formed over warm currents and brought by the prevailing westerly winds. Cool summers, mild winters, a lot of precipitation, especially heavy snowfalls in winter. Precipitation is frontal and orographic, there is excessive moisture, and the weather is very unstable.

Temperate continental climate region- MSW and SWW replace each other, although the latter predominates, summers are warm, winters are cold, AW intrusions cause significant cooling, TW - climate warming. Precipitation is average, with more precipitation in summer than in winter. Frontal and cyclonic precipitation predominate.

Only in the northern hemisphere. Throughout the year - KUV, invasions of KAV are not uncommon, including in summer. Summers in the north are cool, in the south they are warm, sometimes hot, and winters are frosty. The annual amount of precipitation is insignificant; in summer it falls somewhat more. Low winter soil temperatures and small amounts of snow support the existence of permafrost.

Region of sharply continental climate- in the interior regions of Eurasia and North America, completely isolated from the seas and oceans and under the influence of centers high pressure. Winters are very frosty, summers are sometimes hot, everywhere - permafrost. The amount of precipitation is insignificant, the humidity is insufficient, and the winds are weak. Anticyclonic weather type.

Region monsoon climate - on the eastern coasts of the continents. Seasonal change of air masses: summer monsoon (suM) - warm and humid, winter monsoon (wM) - very cold and dry; influence of Asian and Canadian high atmospheric pressure centers. The amount of summer precipitation is 10 - 20 times more than winter; excessive moisture.

Subarctic and subantarctic belts. In summer - moderate (HC), and in winter - Arctic and Antarctic air masses (AM). Large seasonal fluctuations in air temperature, continuous distribution permafrost. In summer - westerly winds, in winter - northeast or southeast. Two climate regions:

Continental climate region- northern Eurasia and North America. Cool, damp summers, harsh, long winters with little snow, little precipitation, excessive moisture, large swamps.

Marine (oceanic) climate region- in northern Europe, around Antarctica. Cool summers, relatively mild winters, quite a lot of precipitation (up to 500 mm), constant fog.

Arctic and Antarctic belts. AB throughout the year, very cold winter and summer, little precipitation, strong winds (in the north - northeast, in the south - southeast). Two climate regions:

Continental Antarctic (Arctic) climate region- in Antarctica, Greenland and the islands of the Canadian Arctic archipelago. The temperatures are below freezing all year round and there is little precipitation (less than 100 mm).

Region oceanic climate - in the Arctic, temperatures are negative, but during the polar day they reach +5 ° C, there is little precipitation, but cyclones are frequent.

On the climate (and, therefore, climate zone ) have an impact and shape it, depending on geographical conditions, climate-forming factors. These include: the amount of radiation from the sun reaching a certain surface of the Earth; atmospheric processes circulation; volumes of biomass. These factors that determine climate can vary significantly depending on the latitude of the area. It is latitude that determines at what angle it falls. sunlight to the surface globe and, accordingly, how intensely the surface located at different distances from the equator will warm up.

The thermal regime of a particular area depends to a large extent on its proximity to the oceans, which act as heat accumulators. On land surfaces bordering the oceans, more mild climate climate zone, compared to the climate in the interior of the continents. Daily and seasonal temperature changes near large volumes of water are more gradual than in a continental climate closer to the center of the continents. There is more rainfall here and the sky is often covered with clouds. In contrast, continental climates are characterized by sharp temperature changes and less rainfall.

A phenomenon associated with the oceans, such as sea ​​current, is also the most important factor, which determines the weather on Earth. Carrying warm masses of water around the continents, they warm atmospheric air, bring cyclones with big amount precipitation. How radically a current can influence nature can be seen using the example of the North Atlantic Current. In those areas that fall within the zone of its influence, they grow dense forests. And in Greenland, located in the same latitudes, there is only a thick layer of ice.

It has no less influence on the climate and topography (which also affects the formation of the climate zone). Everyone knows the footage of climbers climbing mountains, who, starting from green meadows at the foot of the mountain, a few days later stand on snow-capped peaks. This happens due to the fact that with every kilometer above sea level, the ambient temperature drops by 5-6 °C. Besides, mountain systems prevent the movement of both warm and cold air masses. Often the climate on one side and the other of a mountain range can differ significantly. A striking example of this is the difference in air temperature and humidity in Sochi and Stavropol, located on opposite sides of the Caucasus Mountains.

To correctly define the concept " climate zone“We need to distinguish between terms such as weather and climate.

Weather is the state of the troposphere at a certain period of time in a specific area. Climate is considered to be the average established weather pattern. What's happened climate zone, what are its varieties?

Climatic zone and its properties.

Climatic zone It is customary to call the latitudinal band, which differs from other bands in the circulation of the atmosphere, as well as the intensity of heating of the Sun.

There are a total of 7 species on the planet climatic zone c, which in turn are divided into main and transition zones. The category of main belts is also commonly called permanent.

Permanent and transitional climatic zones.

Constant (basic) is called climate zone, in which one dominates throughout the whole year air mass. The main types of zones include: temperate, tropical, equatorial and arctic.

For transition zones characterized by a change in air masses, that is, hot in summer, and colder in winter. There are subarctic, subtropical and subequatorial zones.

Equatorial climate zone.

This subspecies of the main climate zone located in the equator region. This is a one-of-a-kind belt that is divided into several parts. Throughout the year it is influenced by the equatorial air mass.

The main features of the equatorial belt:

• high humidity;
• high precipitation (up to 7 thousand mm per year);
• high temperature (from 20°C and above).

Natural area of ​​this climate zone are considered rain forests, which are filled with various poisonous plants and animals.

The Amazonian lowland is located in this belt, equatorial Africa, as well as the Greater Sunda Islands.

Subequatorial climate zone.

This subspecies is transitional climate zone located between the equatorial and tropical zones. Consequently, 2 air masses change on its territory during the year.

IN subequatorial belt Northern Australia, northern South America, the Hindustan Peninsula, and Southeast Asia are located.

Tropical and subtropical zones.

The tropical zone is characteristic of tropical latitudes. Weather in the tropics depends on the height of the sun above the horizon. For the tropical climate zone characterized by sharp temperature changes - from hot to cold.

This counts main reason, according to which the world of flora and fauna is very poor. In this subspecies permanent belts is located in North Africa, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.

The subtropical zone is located in the middle of the temperate and tropical zones. It is customary to distinguish between the northern and southern subtropical zones. In summer, tropical heat prevails here, which is characterized by dryness, and in winter there is a cold air mass.

The climate zone characteristic of the Great Chinese Plain, North Africa, North America and southern Japan.

Temperate climate zone.

A distinctive feature of the temperate zone is the ability of temperatures to vary seasonally. For such climate zone negative temperature is typical.

IN temperate latitudes there is a significant part of Europe, Great Britain, Russia, Canada and the northern USA.

Characteristics of climatic zones (table)
There are 7 types of climate zones on the planet. They are divided into two types: permanent (main) and transitional.
Constant climate zones- belts where one single air mass dominates throughout the year.
Transitional- written with the prefix “sub”, two air masses change in them throughout the year: in the summer there comes more hot (the one closer to the equator), colder in winter (the one closer to the pole). In December-February airthe masses are shifted to the south, and in June-August - to the north of the planet.
Name of climate zones: 1) Equatorial climate zone-type: permanent-main - location: located on both sides of the equator from 5°-8° northern latitude to 4°-11° south latitude, between subequatorial belts.-description: The predominance of equatorial air masses throughout the year. Constantly high temperatures(on the plains 24° - 28°C). Weak, unstable winds. Characterized by the presence of a stripelow pressure with a constant influx of trade winds into it and a tendency towards general upward movements of air andrapid transformation of tropical air into humid equatorial air. Heavy rainfall throughout the year.Constantly hot and humid equatorial climate, caused by a large influx of solar radiation.
2) Tropical climate zone-type: permanent-primary -location: The belt is located in tropical latitudes. The northern and southern tropical zones of the Earth can be clearly distinguished. - description: V tropical zone all year round There is only one dominant air mass - the tropical air mass. She, in her turn, forms a zone above the climate zone constantly high blood pressure with clear weather throughoutof the year. Thus, the weather in the tropics depends entirely on the height of the sun above the horizon. IN summer months, Whenthe sun rises to its zenith, the temperature in the tropics rises above +30°C. In winter, when the sun is abovethe horizon is no longer so high, the temperature in the tropics drops, and on cold winter nights it can even drop tonegative temperatures. Sharp changes from hot to cold throughout the day and throughout the year, as well as low amountsprecipitation has led to the formation of natural area deserts and semi-deserts withvery sparse flora and fauna.
3) Temperate climate zone-type: permanent-primary- location: It is located between 40 and 60 latitudes, bordering the subtropical and subarctic (in southern hemisphere - subantarctic) climatic zones.-description: There are northern and southern temperate zones on the planet, however, in the Southern Hemisphere it is practically not affects continents. since the temperature of a moderate air mass varies with the seasons of the year, in a temperateclimatic zone there is a clear change in them. All seasons are clearly expressed: snowy winter gives way to spring, which is replaced byhot summer comes and autumn comes again. Temperature differences in the temperate zone are very significant. Actuallythe border with the subtropics practically coincides with the winter isotherm of 0°C. In the temperate zone there are negativetemperature. Over a large area of ​​the belt in winter time snow cover is established.
4) Arctic (Antarctic) climate zone-type: permanent-primary -location: The belt occupies the polar regions of the Earth. The belt occupies the largest area in Antarctica, spreading almost the entire continent. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is located in the very north of Eurasia and North America, includingyourself to Baffin Island, Greenland, Taimyr Peninsula, New Earth, Spitsbergen, islands of the Arctic Ocean.-description: All year round, one single Arctic (in the Southern Hemisphere - Antarctic) air dominates here. weight. Almost the entire year in the Arcticclimate zone, the air temperature does not rise above0°C, and with further removal to the poles it always remains negative. Especially harsh winters observed inAntarctica. There is very little precipitation. The belt is occupied by the natural zone of Arctic and Antarctic deserts. Bigpart of it is covered by a multi-kilometer-long shell of cover glaciers. So much low temperatures these areasare explained by the fact that the sun never rises high above the horizon in subpolar latitudes, its rays “slide”on the surface of the earth and do not warm it up even in polar day conditions, when the polar night comes (and onAt the poles they last for six months) the surface of the planet does not receive any heat from the sun and cools to -70 -80°C.

The temperate climate zone is one of the widest and covers the territories of our planet lying between the 40th and 60th parallels in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Moreover, in the north the zone of this belt extends to the 65th parallel, and in the south it contracts to approximately the 58th parallel. Towards the poles of the earth it borders on the subantarctic and subarctic zones, towards the equator - on the subtropical.

Characteristics of the temperate climate zone

Throughout the belt there is a moderate air mass, which is characterized by high humidity and low atmospheric pressure. The air temperature always changes depending on the season, and therefore the seasons in the temperate zone are clearly defined: winter is snowy and frosty, spring is bright and green, summer is sultry and hot, and autumn is golden with heavy rains and the winds. average temperature in winter in temperate latitudes it drops to 0 °C, in summer it rarely rises above +15, +20 °C. The average annual precipitation is 500-800mm.

Depending on the proximity of the oceans, the climate in temperate latitudes is divided into 4 types:

• Nautical- this climate is formed over the oceans and covers coastal land areas. Winters here are mild, summers are not hot, there is a lot of rainfall and high humidity.
• Monsoon- this type of climate is rarely found in temperate latitudes, as it is more typical for the tropics and subtropics. The weather in these areas is very dependent on the circulation of seasonal winds - the monsoons.
• Sharply continental- this climate is typical for areas located at a considerable distance from the oceans. Winters in these areas of land are very cold, frosty, often at the limit of the cold pole. Summer is short and not hot. During the warm season there is more precipitation than in winter.

Temperature values

(averaged, approximate for the temperate climate zone)

• Marine climate area: July +12 °C +16 °C, January 0 °C +4 °C.
• Continental climate region: July +18 °C +24 °C, January -6 °C -20 °C.
• Temperate continental climate area: July +15 °C +17 °C, January 0 °C -8°C.

By the way, this type of climate does not occur in the southern hemisphere, since there are practically no land areas there in temperate latitudes.

• Temperate continental- one of the most stable types of climate. Distributed on all land areas that are located relatively far from the oceans and sea. Summers here are always hot, winters are frosty, and there is little precipitation. One of the main features of this type of climate is strong winds, dust storms and low clouds.

Natural zones of the temperate climate zone

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

Forests

Taiga— forested areas, which are dominated conifers trees. Lots of swamps. This natural zone covers the northern part of Siberia and continental Canada. Taiga is found in Scandinavia and Finland, but in the southern hemisphere it does not exist as a separate natural zone.

Mixed forests. In such forests coniferous trees grow next to broadleaf trees. This natural zone is distributed over most of Eurasia: Scandinavia, the Carpathians, the Caucasus, middle lane Eastern European and West Siberian Plains, on Far East. On the American continent it is found in the Great Lakes region of California. In the southern hemisphere it covers large parts of South America and New Zealand.

Broadleaf forests. This natural area is characteristic of temperate latitudes with humid and temperate humid climate. The zone occupies most of Europe, stretches across the USA, and is found in East Asia. In the southern hemisphere, it affects southern Chile and New Zealand.

Forest-steppe- characteristic of temperate latitudes with a temperate continental climate.

Ocean meadows- areas of land where grasses and herbs predominate. The climate is cool. This natural zone covers coastal land and islands in temperate latitudes approximately between 50 and 56 parallels. In the northern hemisphere, this is the zone of the Commander Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Kamchatka, southern Greenland, Scandinavia and Iceland. In the southern hemisphere - the Falkland and Shetland Islands.

Dry zones

Steppes- a natural zone that surrounds all continents (except Australia and Antarctica) on the borders of temperate continental and extreme continental climates. In Eurasia there are the vast steppes of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, in America there are the prairies of Canada and the USA, in South America there are Chile and Argentina.

Semi-deserts. This natural zone is characterized by the absence of forests and specific vegetation. In the northern hemisphere they cover the east of Eurasia, the Caspian lowland, and extend all the way to China. In North America, they are common in the western United States. In the southern hemisphere, they cover small areas in southern South America.

Deserts- the last natural zone of the temperate zone, which covers flat areas with a harsh continental climate. Distributed in Asia, in the western regions of North America, in Patagonia.

Temperate countries

(Map of the Earth's climate zones, click on the image to enlarge)

The temperate climate zone covers most of Eurasia and America, so there are a lot of countries that exist in this climate zone.

In the northern hemisphere:

North America: Canada, USA.

Europe: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, northern Turkey and Spain, Italy, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Croatia, Lithuania, Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, southern Sweden and Norway.

Asia: part of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, northern China and Japan, North Korea.

In the southern hemisphere:

South America: southern Argentina, Chile.

French South Polar Territories

O. Tasmania

New Zealand (South Island)

Territory of the temperate climate zone in Russia

The temperate climate zone occupies most of Russia, so all types of climate characteristic of these latitudes are represented here: from sharply continental to monsoon and maritime. This zone includes most of the European part of the country, all of Siberia, the East European Plain, Caspian lowland and the Far East.