Climatic zones of the earth and their characteristics. "Climate

Climatic conditions may change and transform, but in general terms they remain the same, making some regions attractive for tourism and others difficult to survive. It is worth understanding the existing species for a better understanding of the geographical features of the planet and a responsible attitude towards the environment - humanity may lose some zones during global warming and other catastrophic processes.

What is climate?

This definition refers to the established weather regime that distinguishes a particular area. It is reflected in the complex of all changes observed in the territory. Types of climate influence nature, determine the state of water bodies and soils, lead to the appearance of specific plants and animals, and influence the development of sectors of the economy and agriculture. Formation occurs as a result of exposure to solar radiation and winds in combination with the variety of surface. All these factors directly depend on geographic latitude, which determines the angle of incidence of the rays, and therefore the volume of heat received.

What influences the climate?

Various conditions (in addition to geographic latitude) can determine what the weather will be like. For example, proximity to the ocean has a strong impact. The further an area is from large waters, the less precipitation it receives, and the more uneven it is. Closer to the ocean, the amplitude of fluctuations is small, and all types of climate in such lands are much milder than continental ones. Sea currents are no less significant. For example, they warm the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula, which promotes the growth of forests there. At the same time, Greenland, which has a similar location, is covered with ice all year round. Strongly influences climate formation and relief. The higher the terrain, the lower the temperature, so the mountains can be cold even if they are in the tropics. In addition, the ridges can hold back, causing a lot of precipitation to fall on the windward slopes, while further on the continent there is noticeably less rainfall. Finally, it is worth noting the impact of winds, which can also seriously transform climate types. Monsoons, hurricanes and typhoons carry moisture and significantly influence the weather.

All existing types

Before studying each type separately, it is worth understanding the general classification. What are the main types of climate? The easiest way to understand this is to use the example of a specific country. The Russian Federation occupies a large area, and the weather varies greatly throughout the country. The table will help you study everything. The types of climates and the places where they prevail are distributed in it according to each other.

Continental climate

This weather prevails in regions located further beyond the maritime climate zone. What are its features? The continental type of climate is characterized by sunny weather with anticyclones and an impressive range of both annual and daily temperatures. Here summer quickly gives way to winter. Continental climate type can be further divided into moderate, harsh and normal. The best example is the central part of Russia.

Monsoon climate

This type of weather is characterized by a sharp difference in winter and summer temperatures. In the warm season, the weather is formed under the influence of winds blowing onto land from the sea. Therefore, in summer the monsoon type of climate resembles a maritime one, with heavy rains, high clouds, humid air and strong winds. In winter, the direction of air masses changes. The monsoon type of climate begins to resemble the continental one - with clear and frosty weather and minimal precipitation throughout the season. Such variants of natural conditions are typical for several Asian countries - they are found in Japan, the Far East and northern India.

Climate is decisive for the geographical location of natural areas. Where deserts are dry and hot, where it rains all year round and the sun shines, there is lush vegetation of equatorial forests. But, in one climatic zone there may be boundaries of several natural zones.

Climatic zones and natural zones

First of all, let's look at the table.

Table “Natural zones of climatic zones”

Features of the climate of natural zones of the world

Equatorial forests

It is very hot here all year round and there are tropical rains. The average temperature in winter is +15°, in summer about 30°. More than 2000 mm of precipitation falls annually. There is no clear division into seasons; all months are warm and humid.

Savannah

Winter is tropical, summer is equatorial. There are two distinct periods: drought in winter and rainy season in summer. About 500 mm of precipitation falls annually. The average temperature in winter is +10°, in summer about 26°.

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Rice. 1. Drought in the savannah

Deserts

The climate is arid, with rapid temperature changes observed throughout the day. In winter, it can even be below zero at night. In summer, the sun warms the dry air by 40-45°.

Rice. 2. Frost in the desert

Steppes and forest-steppes

Winters are moderate, summers are dry. Even during the warm period of the year, at night the air temperature can drop to below zero. Precipitation falls mainly in winter - up to 500 mm per year. A special feature of the steppe zone is cold, piercing winds blowing from the north.

Deciduous and mixed forests

They are characterized by pronounced winters (with snow) and hot summers. Precipitation falls evenly throughout the year.

Rice. 3. Winter in a deciduous forest

Taiga

It is characterized by cold, dry winters, but hot summers, which last 4-5 months. Precipitation falls approximately 1000 mm. in year. The average temperature in January is 25°, in summer +16°.

Tundra and forest-tundra

The climate is harsh. Winter is long, cold, dry, about 9 months. Summer is short. Arctic winds often blow.

Arctic and Antarctic deserts

Eternal winter zone. Summer is very short and cold.

Record low temperatures were recorded in Antarctica – 89.2° and -91.2°. In Russia, the lowest temperature was in the city of Verkhoyansk - 67.8°.

What have we learned?

Climatic zones define natural areas. Some zones may contain the boundaries of several natural zones. The flora and fauna largely depend on the weather conditions of the region.

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The amount of solar radiation decreases from the equator to the poles, and air masses are formed along thermal zones, i.e. depending on latitude. Latitude also determines the climatic zone - huge territories within which the main climate indicators practically do not change. Climatic zones were defined by the Russian climatologist B.P. Alisov. Their definition is based on the dominant types of air masses, from which the climatic zones received their name.

Climatic zones are divided into main and transitional. Where the influence of one type of air mass predominates throughout the year, the main climatic zones have formed. There are only seven of them: equatorial, two tropical, two temperate, Arctic and Antarctic. Four types of air masses correspond to the seven main climatic zones.

In the equatorial climate zone, low atmospheric pressure and equatorial air masses predominate. The sun here is high above the horizon, which contributes to high air temperatures, and due to the predominance of rising air currents and the influence of moist oceanic air masses that come with the trade winds, a lot of precipitation (1000-3500 mm) falls in this belt.

Tropical zones are dominated by tropical air masses, high pressure and low air masses. Tropical air masses are always dry, because the air that comes from the equator in the tropics at an altitude of 10-12 km already contains little moisture. As it descends, it heats up and becomes even drier. Therefore, it does not rain here often. The air temperature is high. Such climatic conditions contributed to the creation of zones of tropical deserts and semi-deserts.

The temperate climate zone is influenced by westerly winds and moderate air masses. There are clearly defined four seasons here. The amount of precipitation depends on the distance of the territory from the ocean. Thus, the most precipitation falls in the western part of Eurasia. They are brought by westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean. The further you go to the east, the less precipitation, i.e. the continental climate increases. In the far east, under the influence of the ocean, the amount of precipitation increases again.

The Arctic and Antarctic climate zones are areas of high pressure that are influenced by katabatic winds. The air temperature rarely rises above 0⁰C. The climatic conditions in both zones are very similar - it is always cold and dry here. Precipitation falls less than 200 mm for the whole year.

Territories where air masses change seasonally twice a year belong to transitional climatic zones. In the names of transitional zones the prefix “sub” appears, which means “under”, i.e. under the main belt. Transitional climatic zones are located between the main zones. There are only six of them: two subequatorial, two subtropical, subarctic and subantarctic.

Thus, the subarctic zone is located between the Arctic and temperate, the subtropical - between the temperate and tropical, the subequatorial - between the tropical and equatorial zones. In transitional zones, the weather is determined by air masses that come from neighboring main zones and change with the seasons. For example, the climate of the subtropical zone in summer is similar to the climate of the tropical zone, and in winter - to the climate of the temperate zone. And the climate of the subequatorial zone in summer has characteristics of an equatorial climate, and in winter - of a tropical climate. In the subarctic zone, the weather in summer is determined by moderate air masses, and in summer by arctic ones.

Thus, climate zones are located zonally and this is due to the influence of solar radiation. Thus, the type of climate on Earth varies zonally. Climate type is understood as a constant set of climatic indicators characteristic of a certain period of time and a certain territory. But the earth's surface is heterogeneous, therefore, different types of climate can form within climate zones.

The boundaries of climate zones do not always coincide with the direction of the parallels. And in some places they deviate significantly to the north or south. This is primarily due to the nature of the underlying surface. Therefore, within the same climate zone, different types of climate can form. They differ from each other in the amount of precipitation, the seasonality of its distribution and the annual amplitudes of temperature fluctuations. For example, in the temperate zone of Eurasia there are maritime, continental and monsoon climates. Therefore, individual climatic zones are also divided into climatic regions.

Thus, 13 climatic zones are conventionally distinguished on Earth: 7 of them are main and 6 are transitional. The determination of climate zones is based on the air masses that dominate the region throughout the year. Individual climatic zones (temperate, subtropical, tropical) are also divided into climatic regions. Climatic regions are formed under the influence of the underlying surface within the boundaries of one climate zone.

Each belt of the earth has its own characteristics. Temperature and precipitation in each zone will be discussed in the article.

Our huge planet is shrouded in invisible stripes (solid or intermittent), which differ significantly in temperature conditions, precipitation, pressure and wind elements. These stripes are located symmetrically with respect to the equator and were called the climate zones of the planet.

What are the different climate zones?

Since these bands are very homogeneous in their climatic indicators, scientists clearly classify them into seven main and six transitional ones with clearly defined boundaries. They arise due to the constant circulation of water, solar heat and atmospheric fronts, which ultimately creates certain climatic conditions in different zones.

So, on the territory of the main zones - equatorial, tropical (two), temperate (two), polar (Arctic and Antarctic) - an air front of the same name is observed throughout the year.

Since there is no sharp change in climatic conditions in certain areas - the junctions of belts, it was decided to designate transition areas with the addition of “sub”:

• subequatorial (2)
• subtropical (2)
• subpolar (subarctic and subantarctic).

The air flows in them change seasonally: in the summer months they come from the belt located to the south, in the winter months - from the one to the north.

Features of the main climatic zones

Located around the Earth according to the law of geographic zonation, the belts received names based on the latitudes where they are formed. And boundaries are easily established by the location of climate fronts in summer and winter.

Equatorial

Unique of its kind because it does not have a symmetrical pair. It passes along the equator intermittently, with a predominance of equatorial air fronts. There is a very favorable temperature background here all year round: from + 26 to + 28 °C.

This territory on the planet is most provided with moisture, which falls in the form of rain up to 3000 mm - and evenly throughout the year. Here either continental or oceanic climate types are observed.

Tropical

On both sides of the tropics. Their distinctive feature is trade winds (steadily blowing winds). Thanks to tropical air masses, high temperatures are maintained here: in the warmest periods - up to +35 °C, in the coldest periods - the thermometer does not drop below +10 °C.

• These areas contain the largest number of deserts (African, Arabian and Australian), since with the desert climate there is little rain - up to 250 mm.
• And in the east of the continents, located close to warm ocean currents, under the influence of trade winds from the ocean and summer monsoons, a humid temperature background is created from +22 to + 26 ° C and rains of up to 1500 mm throughout the year.

Stripes in the same latitudes up to the polar circles. Both arctic and tropical “neighbors” can sometimes arrive here, under the dominance of moderate air masses.

If we talk about the Northern Hemisphere, here in the western parts of the continents there is cyclone activity, westerly winds blow, and in the eastern parts there are monsoons. The further you move across the mainland, the greater the temperature changes: from +4 to -48 °C in the cold and from +12 to +30 °C in the summer.

There are five climate types here:

• sea ​​(winds from the ocean, temperature from + 5 °C in winter to +17 °C in summer, precipitation - up to 2000 mm throughout the year);
• moderate continental (in January from -5 in the west to -10 °C in the east, up to 600 mm of precipitation falls);
• continental (on the continents - in July from +10 °C to the south to +24 °C to the north);
• sharply continental (in January from -35 °C in the west to -40 °C in the east, up to 400 mm of precipitation);
• monsoon (in Eurasia: summer temperatures up to + 22 °C, winter temperatures up to -25 °C, there are typhoons with the arrival of autumn; winter is dry here, and summer is rainy - up to 1200 mm of precipitation).

The Southern Hemisphere has an oceanic climate, where it is mostly warm, winters are mild, there is a lot of precipitation, strong winds and changeable weather.

Polar (Arctic and Antarctic)

They surround both poles of the Earth. Bearers of a continental climate with year-round weather below zero Celsius. And only in the Arctic with an oceanic climate does the thermometer sometimes rise to +2 °C. There is very little precipitation - up to 150 mm.

Features of transitional climate zones

Subequatorial

They surround the equatorial zone from the north and south. Here, equatorial air masses predominate in summer, and tropical ones in winter). There is a clear division into two periods - summer with a lot of rain and winter with droughts. The temperature all year round is quite favorable - from +20 to +30 °C, precipitation - up to 2000 mm per year.

Subtropical

Tropical air masses affect them in the summer, and moderate air masses affect them in the winter.

• In the continental west, conditions are also called Mediterranean (dry and hot in summer up to +30 °C, in winter - wet and warm up to +10 °C with very rare frosts).
• In the continental east, the conditions are different - monsoonal (in summer up to +28 °C, a lot of rain, and in winter - dry, up to +28 °C, rain per year - up to 1500 mm, but snow is very rare).
• The continental centers are characterized by a continental subtropical climate (in summer - dry and hot up to +30 °C, in winter also dry but cool - up to +8 °C).

Subpolar (subarctic and subantarctic)

They are located north and south of temperate climate zones. In summer there are more moderate air currents, in winter - Arctic and Antarctic.

• The northern continental ends are characterized by a continental subarctic climate (in summer up to +10 °C, but this is a very short period, but in winter - up to -50 °C, in some places even up to -75 °C).
• You've probably heard about permafrost - this phenomenon can be seen right here, since at extremely low temperatures, large expanses were swamped with very high moisture, although there was little precipitation - up to 200 mm per year.

It is much more favorable in the oceanic climate (Greenland and Norwegian seas, the area near Antarctica) - with an abundance of cyclones, summer with temperatures up to +5 °C and winter with temperatures up to -15 °C. It is here that you can see floating sea ice, and fog is also characteristic of these places. In winter, up to 500 mm of precipitation falls.

Video: Main climate zones

The cycle of heat, moisture and general atmospheric circulation shape the weather and climate in. The types of air masses and the characteristics of their circulation at different latitudes create the conditions for the formation of the Earth. The dominance of one air mass throughout the year determines the boundaries of climate zones.

Climate zones- these are territories that encircle the Earth in a continuous or intermittent strip; They differ from each other in temperature, amount and regime of precipitation, prevailing air masses and winds. The symmetrical placement of climatic zones relative to the equator is a manifestation of the law of geography. There are main and transitional climatic zones. The names of the main ones are given according to the dominant ones and the latitudes in which they are formed.

There are 13 climatic zones: seven main and six transitional. The boundaries of each zone are determined by the summer and winter positions of climate fronts.

There are seven main climatic zones: equatorial, two tropical, two temperate and two polar (Arctic and Antarctic). In each of the climatic zones, one air mass dominates throughout the year - equatorial, tropical, temperate, arctic (Antarctic), respectively.

Between the main zones in each hemisphere, transitional climate zones are formed: two subequatorial, two subtropical and two subpolar (subarctic and subantarctic). In transition zones, seasonal changes in air masses occur. They come from neighboring main belts: in summer the air mass is from the southern main belt, and in winter from the northern one. The proximity of the oceans, warm and cold currents, and topography influence climatic differences within the zones: climatic regions with different types of climate are distinguished.

Characteristics of climate zones

The equatorial belt formed in the region of the equator as an intermittent strip, where equatorial air masses predominate. Average monthly temperatures range from +26 to +28 C. Precipitation falls 1500-3000 mm evenly throughout the year. The equatorial belt is the wettest part of the earth's surface (the Congo River basin, the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in Africa, the Amazon River basin in South America,).

There are continental and oceanic climate types, but the difference between them is small.

The subequatorial belts that encircle the equatorial belt from the north and south are characterized by air. A feature of the belts is the seasonal change of air masses. In summer, equatorial air dominates, in winter - tropical. There are two seasons: wet summer and dry winter. In summer, the climate differs slightly from: large, abundant precipitation. During the winter season, hot, dry weather sets in, grasses burn out, and trees shed their leaves. The average air temperature in all months ranges from +20 to +30 °C. The annual precipitation is 1000-2000 mm, with maximum precipitation falling in summer.

They are between 20 and 30 s. and Yu. w. on both sides of the tropics, where trade winds prevail. (Remember why high pressure descends and prevails in the air.) Throughout the year, tropical air masses with high temperatures dominate here. The average temperature of the warmest month is +30...+35 C, the coldest month is not lower than +10 C. In the center of the continents the climate is tropical continental (desert). Cloud cover is insignificant, precipitation in most parts is less than 250 mm per year. Low rainfall causes the formation of the greatest deserts in Australia. In the eastern parts of the continents, which are influenced by warm currents and trade winds blowing from the ocean, intensified by monsoons in the summer season, a tropical humid climate is formed. The average monthly temperature in summer is +26 C, in winter +22 C. The average annual precipitation is 1500 mm.

Subtropical zones (25-40 N and S latitude) are formed under the influence of tropical air masses in summer and temperate air masses in winter. In the western parts of the continents: summer is dry, hot, the average temperature of the warmest month is +30 C, and winter is wet and warm (up to +5...+10 C), but short-term frosts are possible. On the eastern coasts of the continents, a subtropical monsoon climate is formed with hot (+25 C) rainy summers and cool (+8 C) dry winters. The amount of precipitation is 1000-1500 mm. Snow rarely falls.

In the central parts of the continents, the climate is subtropical continental, with hot (+30 C) and dry summers and relatively cold winters (+6...+8 C) with low precipitation (300 mm). The subtropical humid climate is characterized by more uniform temperatures and precipitation. In summer +20 C, in winter +12 C, precipitation is 800-1000 mm. (Use the climate map to determine the differences in the climates of the subtropical zones.)

Temperate zones stretch into the 40s. and Yu. w. almost to the polar circles. Temperate air masses dominate here throughout the year, but arctic and tropical air masses can penetrate. In the Northern Hemisphere in the western continents, westerly winds and cyclonic activity predominate; in the east there are monsoons. As you move deeper into the territory, the annual amplitude of air temperature increases (the coldest month is from +4...+6 °C to –48 °C, and the warmest month is from +12 °C to +30 °C).

In the Southern Hemisphere, the climate is mainly oceanic. There are 5 types of climate in the Northern Hemisphere: maritime, moderate continental, continental, sharply continental, and monsoon.

The maritime climate is formed under the influence of westerly winds blowing from the ocean (Northern and western North America, Patagonian Andes of South America). In summer temperatures are about +15…+17 °C, in winter - +5 °C. Precipitation falls throughout the year and reaches 1000-2000 mm per year. In the Southern Hemisphere, the temperate zone is dominated by an oceanic climate with cool summers, mild winters, heavy rainfall, westerly winds, and unstable (“roaring” forties latitudes).

Continental climate is characteristic of the interior regions of large continents. In Eurasia, a moderate continental, continental, sharply continental climate is formed, in North America - moderate continental and continental. On average, July temperatures vary from +10 °C in the north to +24 °C in the south. In a temperate continental climate, the January temperature drops from west to east from –5° to –10 °C, in a sharply continental climate - to –35…–40 °C, and in Yakutia below –40 °C. The annual precipitation in a temperate continental climate is approximately 500-600 mm, in a sharply continental climate - about 300-400 mm. In winter, as you move eastward, the duration of the stable temperature increases from 4 to 9 months, and the annual temperature amplitude also increases.

The monsoon climate is best expressed. In summer, a stable monsoon from the ocean prevails, the temperature is +18...+22 °C, in winter - –25 °C. Late summer - early autumn is frequent from the sea with gusty and heavy precipitation. Winters are relatively dry as the winter monsoon blows inland. Precipitation in the form of rain predominates in summer (800-1200 mm).

The subpolar zones (subarctic and subantarctic) are located north and south of the temperate zone. They are characterized by seasonal changes in air masses: moderate air masses dominate in summer, arctic air masses dominate in winter (). Continental subarctic climate is characteristic of the northern margins of North America and Eurasia. Summer is relatively warm (+5…+10 °C) and short. Winter is harsh (up to –55 °C). Here is the pole of cold in Oymyakon and Verkhoyansk (–71 °C).

Small amount of precipitation - 200 mm. Permafrost and excessive moisture are widespread, and large areas are swamped. The oceanic climate in the Northern Hemisphere is formed in the Greenland and Norwegian Seas, in the Southern Hemisphere - around Antarctica. Cyclonic activity is widespread throughout the year. Cool summers (+3…+5 °C), floating sea and continental ice, relatively mild winters (–10…–15 °C). Winter precipitation is up to 500 mm, fog is constant.

The polar zones (Arctic and Antarctic) are located around the poles. Continental climate prevails in Antarctica, on the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. There are negative temperatures all year round.

The oceanic climate is mainly observed. Temperatures here are negative, but during the polar day they can reach +2 °C. Precipitation - 100-150 mm (Fig. 16).

Climatic zones differ from each other in pressure, air masses and precipitation. The climate of the temperate zone from west to east changes from maritime to moderate continental, continental, sharply continental, and monsoon.