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Constant winds in south america. Climatic conditions of south america

Climate Yu.A. Q1 1. What factors contribute to the formation of a warm, humid climate on the flat part of the continent of South America? a) relief b) prevailing winds - trade winds c) geographical position 2. For which climatic zone of South America the following climatic indicators correspond: t ° i = + 16 °, t ° u = + 8 °, annual precipitation - from 100 mm to west and up to 1000 mm in the east: a) moderate b) subtropical c) tropical 3. For which climatic zone of South America the following climatic indicators correspond: t ° i = + 24 °, t ° and = + 20 °, annual precipitation is more 1000 mm in the warm season: a) subequatorial b) subtropical c) tropical 4. Moisture is brought to most of South America from the ocean: a) Pacific b) Atlantic c) Indian 5. As a result of what type of atmospheric circulation the territory of South America receives the largest amount of atmospheric precipitation: a) Trade wind circulation of both the northern and southern hemispheres b) Western transport c) Southeast trade wind

B2 1. Moisture is brought to most of South America from the ocean: a) Pacific b) Atlantic c) Indian 2. As a result of what type of atmospheric circulation the territory of South America receives the greatest amount of atmospheric precipitation: a) Tradewind circulation of both the northern and southern hemispheres b) Western transport c) Southeast trade wind 3. What factors contribute to the formation of a warm, humid climate on the flat part of the South American continent? a) relief b) prevailing winds - trade winds c) geographical position 4. For which climatic zone of South America the following climatic indicators correspond: t ° i = + 16 °, t ° u = + 8 °, annual precipitation - from 100 mm to west and up to 1000 mm in the east: a) moderate b) subtropical c) tropical 5. For which climatic zone of South America the following climatic indicators correspond: t ° i = + 24 °, t ° u = + 20 °, annual precipitation is more 1000 mm in the warm season: a) subequatorial b) subtropical c) tropical

Answers South America Climate

The geographical position of the South American continent determines high values of solar radiation: most of it receives it in the amount of 5000-6700 MJ / m2 (120-160 kcal / cm2) per year. The radiation balance of the earth's surface is negative in the winter season only south of 45 ° S, that is, on a very small part of the continent. Air currents coming from the Atlantic Ocean freely penetrate westward up to the foot of the Andes. In the west and partly in the north, the Andes barrier affects the air currents from the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Guiana and Brazilian branches of the South Tradewind Current in the Atlantic Ocean create a winter positive anomaly of about 3 ° C off the coast of South America. The Peruvian cold current in the Pacific Ocean, penetrating almost to the very equator, carries to the north masses of cold waters from Antarctica and reduces the temperature in the equatorial zone by 4 ° C compared to the average value for these latitudes. On the western periphery of the Atlantic highs, masses of relatively humid tropical air are carried out, which transforms, moving inland and giving up a significant part of its moisture to the marginal uplifts of the Brazilian and Guiana Highlands. On the eastern edge of the continent south of the equator, there are trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres, and in more western regions in the summer, for each hemisphere, there is a transition of trade winds to another hemisphere and the formation of monsoon winds. The western margin of the continent is over a considerable extent exposed to the influence of the eastern periphery of the South Pacific Maximum and associated southern and southwestern winds and trade winds. The extreme south of the continent is affected by the western transfer of the temperate latitudes.

The North Atlantic maximum is slightly displaced to the south, and the air flow outflowing along its southern periphery in the form of a northeastern trade wind captures the northern part of South America. It leaves a significant amount of precipitation on the eastern slopes of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowlands, and in the interior of the highlands and the Orinoco lowlands, it is already a dry wind, which is associated with a period of drought. Crossing the equator, the air flow transforms into an equatorial one, changes direction to the north and north-west and irrigates with rain a large part of the Brazilian Highlands and the Gran Chaco plain.

From the side of the South Atlantic Maximum, monsoon winds blow towards the heated continent, bringing rains to the southeastern edge of the Brazilian Highlands and the La Plata Lowland. Most of the west coast, from 30 ° to almost the equator, is influenced by the eastern periphery of the South Pacific Maximum and receives no precipitation. Only the coastal area north of Guayaquil Bay is affected by equatorial air masses and is watered by heavy rainfall.

Humid oceanic air comes to the extreme south of the continent from the west, the Pacific coast and especially the western slopes of the Andes receive a large amount of precipitation, and the Patagonian Plateau, located under the cover of the Andes and washed from the east by the cold Falkland Current, becomes the center for the formation of relatively dry continental air masses of temperate latitudes ...

In July, the entire northern part of the continent is exposed to humid equatorial air brought in by the southwestern monsoon, and no less humid tropical marine air from the Atlantic Ocean.

High pressure and dry weather prevail over the Brazilian Highlands as the tropical maximum of the southern hemisphere moves northward. Only the southeastern edge of the highland is affected by the southeastern trade wind, coming directly from the Atlantic Ocean, and receives a significant, albeit less than summer, amount of precipitation.

In the subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere, westerly transport prevails and cyclonic rains fall. Patagonia is still a center for relatively dry and cold air, which at times erupts northward all the way to the Amazonian Plain, causing significant temperature drops there.

Over the central part of the Pacific coast from 30 ° S lat. almost to the equator, in July, as in January, southerly and south-westerly winds prevail, blowing parallel to the coast over the waters of the cold Peruvian Current. Low inversion levels prevent rainfall on the Pacific coast at these latitudes. Only on the northern coast, where the trade wind turns into the southwestern monsoon, receives a significant amount of precipitation.

South America is located mainly within the equatorial, both subequatorial and southern tropical climatic zones. In the extreme south, it enters the subtropical and temperate zones.

The equatorial climate zone in South America covers the entire Amazonian lowlands (except for the eastern part and the extreme south), the adjacent parts of the Guiana Highlands and the Orinoco Lowlands, and the Pacific coast north of the equator. This belt is characterized by abundant rainfall and uniform high temperatures (24 ... 28 ° C) throughout the year. Annual precipitation ranges from 1500 to 2500 mm, and on the slopes of the Andes and on the Pacific coast, the amount of precipitation increases to 5000 - 7000 mm per year.

Precipitation in this area throughout the year brings southerly and south-westerly winds, their large amounts are explained by orographic reasons. In the Amazonian lowland, most of the precipitation falls due to convective processes in the equatorial air masses. Abundant precipitation far exceeds evaporation, causing a high moisture coefficient throughout the year (much more than 100% everywhere).

The entire northern part of South America, including the Orinoco Lowlands, the Caribbean Sea coast, a significant part of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowlands, is located in the subequatorial belt of the northern hemisphere. The subequatorial belt of the southern hemisphere includes the north of the Brazilian Highlands and the southern part of the Amazonian Lowland, as well as part of the Pacific coast from the equator to 4-5 ° S. In the east, the subequatorial belts of the northern and southern hemispheres are connected. A distinctive feature of the subequatorial climate - seasonality in the distribution of precipitation - is quite clearly expressed in this territory. In the southern hemisphere - in the Brazilian Highlands, in the south of the Amazon Lowland and in the lower reaches of the Amazon - the period of rains associated with the action of the equatorial monsoon lasts from about December to May, and its duration increases towards the equator. In the north, the rainy season lasts from May to December. In winter, there is no precipitation during the trade winds. Only in the northern part of the coastal part of the Brazilian Highlands, where the trade winds, coming from the warm ocean, meet mountains on their way, it rains in winter.

The highest temperature is during the transition period between the end of the dry season and the beginning of the wet season, when the average monthly temperature rises to 28 ... 30 ° C. Moreover, the average temperature is never below 20 ° C.

South America is part of the tropical climatic zone only in the southern hemisphere. The east and southeast of the Brazilian Highlands are in an area of humid trade winds, where rainfall throughout the year brings tropical air currents from the Atlantic. Climbing the slopes of the mountains, the air leaves a large amount of moisture on the windward side. In terms of precipitation and humidification, this climate is close to the climate of the Amazonian lowland, but is characterized by more significant temperature differences between the hottest and coldest months.

In the inner parts of the mainland within the tropical zone (Gran Chaco Plain), the climate is arid, with a maximum summer precipitation and a sharply expressed dry winter. In terms of the precipitation regime, it is close to the subequatorial one, but differs from it in sharp jumps in temperature, especially in winter, in lower annual precipitation amounts and insufficient moisture.

Pacific coast between 5 and 30 ° S characterized by a climate of coastal deserts and semi-deserts. This climate is most pronounced in the Atacama Desert, which is under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific Maximum and temperature inversions created by the constant influx of relatively cold air from high latitudes and cold waters of the powerful Peruvian Current. At a relative humidity of up to 80%, very little precipitation falls - in some places only a few millimeters per year. Some compensation for the almost complete absence of rain is the abundant dew that falls on the coast in winter. Even the hottest months rarely exceed 20 ° C, and seasonal amplitudes are small.

South of 30 ° S South America is part of the subtropical climatic zone.

The southeast of the mainland (the southern edge of the Brazilian Highlands, the basin of lower Uruguay, the interfluve of the Parana and Uruguay, the eastern part of Pampa) is characterized by a uniformly humid subtropical climate. In summer, northeastern winds of a monsoon nature bring moisture; in winter, precipitation falls due to cyclonic activity along the polar front. Summers in these areas are very hot, winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures of about 10 ° C, but temperature falls well below 0 ° C due to invasions of relatively cold air masses from the south.

The inland regions of the subtropical belt (Western Pampa) are characterized by an arid subtropical climate. Moisture from the Atlantic Ocean gets there a little, and precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year), falling in summer, is mainly of convective origin. Throughout the year, there are sharp fluctuations in temperature and frequent decreases in winter below 0 ° C at average monthly temperatures of 10 ° C.

On the Pacific coast from 30 to 37 ° S lat. the climate is subtropical, with dry summers. Under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific maximum, the summer there is almost rainless and cool (especially on the coast itself). Winters are mild and rainy. Seasonal temperature amplitudes are insignificant.

The temperate zone (south of 40 ° S) is the narrowest part of South America. Patagonia is the center of the formation of the continental air of temperate latitudes. Precipitation in these latitudes is brought by westerly winds, the way of which is blocked to Patagonia by the Andes, therefore, their number does not exceed 250-300 mm. In winter, there are severe colds due to the penetration of cold air from the south. Frosts in exceptional cases reach -30 - -35 ° C, but the average monthly temperatures are positive.

In the extreme southwest of the mainland and on the coastal islands, the climate is moderately warm, oceanic. This entire area is under the influence of intense cyclonic activity and the influx of oceanic air from temperate latitudes. On the western slopes of the Andes, rainfall is particularly high in winter. There is less rain in summer, but cloudy weather prevails. Annual precipitation amounts everywhere exceed 2000 mm. The differences in temperatures between summer and winter months are small.

South America lies predominantly in the southern hemisphere. This circumstance must be taken into account when considering the circulation of the atmosphere and the time of the onset of a particular season. The geographical position of most of South America at low latitudes and the peculiarities of the configuration of the continent (expansion in the equatorial-tropical latitudes and narrowing in the temperate zone) determine the receipt of a significant amount of solar radiation by it.The radiation balance reaches almost 60-85 kcal / cm2 on almost the entire continent. is about 40 kcal / cm2, that is, the south of the mainland is in the same radiation conditions as the south of the European part of Russia. Despite this, the nature of their climates are very different and depend on a number of other factors (land area, etc.), primarily on the general patterns of the circulation of air masses over South America. Due to the large heating of the vast area of South America, the pressure over the widest part of the continent at the level of the earth's surface is usually much lower than over the washing oceans.The relatively cold surface of the oceans contributes to the stabilization of subtropical anticyclones, which are always very clearly expressed (South Pacific and South Atlantic) There are no subpolar cyclones near S America, but there is a wide low pressure zone south of the mainland. - monsoon type) The northern part of the mainland is under the strong influence of the northeastern trade wind from the Azores anticyclone In the tropical zone in the east, east and northeast winds prevail from the western periphery of the South Atlantic anticyclone, in the west - southeastern trade winds from the eastern part of the South Pacific Maximum The relatively small size of land in subtropical and temperate latitudes is responsible for the absence of typical continental and monsoon climates, in temperate latitudes constant and intense westerly air transport prevails.Thus, the interaction of the mainland with the adjacent oceans is manifested mainly in the inflow oceanic air masses from the western periphery of the Atlantic anticyclones, that is, the eastern transport prevails. The system of oceanic currents associated with the general circulation of the atmosphere emphasizes the effect of the oceans on the climate of the coastal regions of the continent; the warm Brazilian Current increases the moisture content of the trade wind masses irrigating the east of the Brazilian Highlands, the cold Falkland Current increases the aridity of the climate of Patagonia, and the Peruvian - contributes to the formation of the desert belt in the west ... The relief of South America introduces significant features in the nature of the redistribution of air masses.

The high barrier of the Andes limits the spread of Pacific air masses to the narrow edge of the western coast and adjacent mountain slopes. In contrast, the influence of air masses coming from the Atlantic leaves almost the entire continent with vast, open lowlands in the east. The absence of inland mountain barriers, similar to those that occur in Asia, and the significantly smaller size of the continent do not contribute to a deep transformation of sea air masses into continental ones, the latter are formed only in the summer of the southern hemisphere in the Gran Chaco region and are poorly outlined in winter on the Patagonia plateau in the Andes, Naturally, the patterns of high-altitude climatic zonation are very clearly manifested. Seasonal differences in climate are most pronounced in the subequatorial and subtropical latitudes of South America. In July, subtropical anticyclones move to the north. From the southern and southeastern periphery of the Azores maximum, the northeastern trade winds come to the shores of South America. Passing over heated waters, they are saturated with moisture. At the same time, humid equatorial air from the Amazon (equatorial monsoon) spreads to the north. These reasons, as well as cyclonic rains on the tropical front, are responsible for the summer rainy season in the north of the mainland. In the Western Amazon, where equatorial air predominates, intense intramass convection causes daily afternoon showers. The vertical thickness of the equatorial air thickness reaches 8-10 km; therefore, even the high inter-Andean highlands of the northern Andes are affected by the equatorial circulation. A dry southeastern trade wind from the Brazilian Highlands penetrates into the Eastern Amazon, and therefore there is a decrease in precipitation in the July season. In the southern hemisphere, the southeastern trade wind from the northern periphery of the South Atlantic anticyclone irrigates the northeastern bulge of the Brazilian Highlands. Winds from the western edge of this maximum carry humid and warm tropical air. It captures not only the coast of eastern Brazil, but, bypassing the central, cooled, part of the highlands with a relatively high winter pressure, penetrates into the mainland. The winter continental anticyclone in Patagonia is poorly expressed due to the limited size of the land. However, in the more northern regions, the pressure is much lower, and the air of the temperate latitudes is directed into these pressure depressions. It moves along the east coast, forming polar fronts with parallel oncoming tropical air. Frontal rains irrigate the east coast of Brazil. Cold air penetrates to the north and along the lowland of Parana-Paraguay, sometimes reaching the Amazon, and along the gentle southern slopes of the Brazilian Highlands, where snow can fall down to the tropics.

The constant westerly transport of the Pacific Ocean air causes an enormous amount of precipitation in southern Chile, falling on the western slopes of the Andes, which are perpendicular to the winds. But leeward Patagonia is almost devoid of precipitation. In winter, due to the northward shift of the South Pacific anticyclone, middle Chile also falls into the sphere of moderate circulation; westerly winds irrigate the area up to 30 ° S. NS. Along with orographic rains, there are also frontal rains (interaction of temperate and tropical air masses). Western coast, slopes and intermountain plateaus of the Andes from 30 ° S. NS. to the equator in winter are under the influence of the eastern periphery of the South Pacific anticyclone. Southerly and southeasterly winds bring air from higher and colder latitudes to lower and warmer ones; the coastline and the Andes are parallel to prevailing winds These factors are unfavorable for moisture condensation. Under the influence of the South Pacific anticyclone, a cold Peruvian current is formed, washing the western coast in these latitudes. The upper warmed layer of water is driven away by the winds and deflected by the action of the Earth's rotation; cold waters rise off the coast. They cause a strong drop in air temperatures and increase the unfavorable conditions for condensation: a low inversion position and stable stratification, difficult lifting of colder and heavier masses. All west, between 30 ° S. w, and the equator turns out to be sharply arid and abnormally cooled. North of the equator, southwesterly winds, approaching at an angle to the Andes, abundantly irrigate western Colombia. Seasonal fluctuations in thermal regime are manifested in South America in a limited area, mainly in subtropical and temperate latitudes and in the mountainous regions of the tropics. The entire north of the mainland, the Amazon and the west of the Brazilian Highlands are very hot throughout the year. In July, they are outlined by the 25 ° isotherm. Winter cooling affects the mountainous east of the Brazilian Highlands (average July temperatures 12 ° -15 °) and on the Pampa plains - the July isotherm of 10 ° C passes through Buenos Aires. On the high plateaus of Patagonia, the average July temperature is -5 ° С (minimum up to -35 ° С). Invasions from the south of cold temperate air cause irregular frosts throughout the southern (south of the tropic) part of the Brazilian Highlands, in the Chaco and northern Pampa; in southern Pampa, frosts can last for 2-3 months. Naturally, the lowest temperatures are found in the high mountainous regions of the Andes. On the western coast of the mainland, cold air and ocean currents cause a sharp deviation of the isotherms to the north: the July isotherm at 20 ° C reaches 5 ° S. NS. At ocean level, average monthly below zero temperatures in South America are not observed, even in the south of Tierra del Fuego the average July temperature is 2 ° C.

In January, the approach of the Azores anticyclone to the equator causes high pressure on the northern outskirts of South America. Equatorial air masses retreat southward. Instead, Llanos is dominated not by the sea, but by the continental trade wind (tropical) air, causing the onset of the dry season. To the east, due to the deviation of the coastline to the southeast and the increase in the path of the trade winds over the Atlantic, the latter manage to get saturated with moisture. They bring heavy rainfall to the windward, outer slopes of the Guiana Highlands and penetrate deep into the low pressure area over the Amazon. In contrast to July, ascending air currents produce daily convective showers over the entire Amazon.Further south in January, humid equatorial air from the northeast extends to the northern, northwestern and western parts of the Brazilian Highlands, to the basin of the upper Parana and the Gran Cha- ko, causing summer rains from December to May, typical for subequatorial regions. In some years, the edge of this humid equatorial monsoon strikes the northeastern Brazilian Highlands, causing intermittent heavy rains; usually due to the peculiarities of the configuration of the mainland, this area lies east of the main paths of the equatorial monsoon. Tropical air masses from the western periphery of the South Atlantic Anticyclone irrigate the southeastern coast of Brazil, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina, penetrating the heated La Plat lowland / where they are thus monsoon in nature. In autumn, cyclonic rains are sharply expressed here at the polar fronts. The western transport of Pacific air masses in summer occurs at higher latitudes (south of 37-38 ° S) than in winter and in a somewhat weakened form, although southern Chile also receives a significant amount of moisture in summer. Lying to the east of the Andean chains, the Patagonia plateaus remain in the "dry shadow of the mountains" throughout the year. The influence of the eastern periphery of the South Pacific anticyclone displaced to the south is also reflected in the subtropical middle of Chile, where dry and clear weather sets in in summer. The entire central part of the west coast of South America in summer is in the same conditions as in winter, and it is completely devoid of rainfall at any time of the year. Here, between 22-27 ° S. sh., lies the Atacama Desert. However, in January, the complete transfer of air masses from the southern hemisphere to the northern is not carried out, and the southeastern trade winds reach only 5 ° S. NS. North of the Gulf of Guayaquil in western Ecuador, there are summer rains due to the penetration of equatorial air masses from the north. On the contrary, in the extreme northwest of the continent (Caribbean lowlands), due to the influx of tropical air, a drought is established.

Thermal conditions in the January season are due to the significant amount of solar heat, which receives most of the mainland. The 25 ° C isotherm outlines the entire territory of the Vneandian East up to 35 ° S. sh., with the exception of the most elevated regions of the Guiana and Brazilian Highlands and the east of Uruguay and Pampa, where temperatures of 20 ° -25 ° C prevail. On the Patagonia plateau, the average January temperature drops to 20 ° -10 ° C. As before, the west of the mainland turns out to be colder than the east, the 20 ° C isotherm in the west almost reaches the tropic; average temperatures in Pune are 6 ° -12 ° C. As a result of the interaction of the atmospheric circulation and the underlying surface, the following picture is observed in the annual distribution of precipitation. The wettest regions are western Colombia and southern Chile, where annual precipitation reaches 5000-8000 mm. The annual precipitation on average in Chile is rapidly decreasing towards the north (from 2000 to 300 mm). Patagonia and the Precordillera region are very arid (150-250 mm per year) and especially the dry Pacific coast between 5-28 ° S. NS. with the adjacent western slopes and intermountain plateaus of the Andes, where rain does not fall in places. for several years in a row. The distribution of precipitation is largely consistent with the picture of annual moisture. The wettest areas, named in the first two groups (from 2000 to 8000 mm of precipitation), receive abundant moisture constantly, all months have a moisture coefficient of more than 100, vegetation is possible throughout the year. Areas of the third group (1000-2000 mm) receive precipitation mainly in summer (on average Chile, precipitation falls only in winter), they have a clearly expressed dry or dry season, during which the moisture coefficient drops to 50 or even less than 25, the vegetation ceases to vegerate ... These are areas of a non-permanently humid and arid-humid climate. In the west of the Chaco, Pampa, in the Precordillera, in the northeast of the Brazilian Highlands, in the north of the mainland and on average Chile, the dry period is already longer than the wet one, and in the western semi-desert and desert regions, in most of Patagonia, it lasts all year. The equatorial belt with a constantly humid (precipitation of more than 2000 mm due to convective rains) and a constantly hot climate (average monthly temperatures of 24 ° -26 ° C or 26 ° -28 ° C) include the Western Amazon and western Colombia. The same belt includes the Andes of Colombia and northern Ecuador, which have a high-mountain type of equatorial climate, which is characterized by two maximum precipitation and an even smoother course of temperatures, decreasing with height (average monthly temperatures in Bogota at an altitude of 2660 m 14 ° - 15 ° C, precipitation 1000-1200 mm per year); however, diurnal amplitudes reach 6 ° -8 ° C, and the weather is very changeable.

To the north and south of the equatorial belt, there are subequatorial climatic zones, in which equatorial air masses dominate in summer and tropical in winter, therefore, a typical subequatorial climate is characterized by a humid hot summer (called inviterno in Latin America), alternating with dry, often still hotter winters (Verano). Average monthly temperatures are 25 ° -30 ° С, annual precipitation is up to 1500 mm and more. The summer-humid subequatorial climate is especially pronounced in Llanos Orinoco, the central parts of the Brazilian Highlands and in the west of Ecuador. On the eastern slopes of the Guiana Highlands, due to favorable relief conditions, a humid type of subequatorial climate is formed, in which the dry season is almost not pronounced. In the high-mountainous region of the subequatorial belt (Andes of southern Ecuador and northern Peru), in contrast to the mountain-equatorial one, there is a winter dry period and a greater amplitude of both average monthly and daily temperatures. In the tropical zone, the differences between the inland and oceanic parts of the continent are sharpening. In the eastern oceanic region (east of the Brazilian Highlands), under the constant influence of humid trade winds, a humid tropical climate is formed, similar to the climate of the eastern region of the subequatorial belt, but with large temperature ranges and precipitation also due to cyclonic processes on polar fronts. Further to the west (in Gran Chaco), a long winter dry period is expressed, and in the inland areas (high-mountainous Pune region of the Central Andes), high pressure and dry tropical air dominate for most of the year, the amount of precipitation drops to 150-300 mm, daily amplitudes temperatures can reach 25-30 ° C in extremely unstable weather. Finally, for the western oceanic region, which is under the constant influence of the eastern region of the South Pacific anticyclone, as well as on other continents, a desert type of tropical climate is characteristic with an annual precipitation of less than 30-50 mm, but with significant relative humidity (up to 83%), cloudiness, abundant dew and relatively low temperatures in the coastal strip (average monthly temperatures from 13 ° С to 21 ° С). The internal differences in the subtropical zone are just as great. In the east (in Uruguay and Pampa) there is a warm, uniformly humid climate (in summer due to monsoon winds, the rest of the time - cyclonic precipitation), further to the west, continental and arid climate grows (precipitation occurs only in summer), and in the west of the mainland, as usual in these latitudes, a Mediterranean type of subtropical climate is formed with wet winters and dry summers.

In the temperate zone, dominated by western air transport, the Andes barrier determines sharp differences between the semi-desert climate of Patagonia and the constantly humid oceanic climate of southern Chile, where precipitation exceeds 2000-3000 mm, and the average monthly temperatures on the coast do not fall below 0 ° C, but neither rise above 15 ° C. These changes in climate types, both from the equator to higher latitudes and within the belts from the eastern edge of the continent to the western one, largely determine the regularities in the distribution of zonal components of landscapes.

The climate of South America is similar to the climate of other continents in tropical latitudes (Australia and Africa), although there are much less areas with a dry climate on it. In terms of annual rainfall, no continent can compete with South America. All these features are determined by many climate-forming factors.

Figure 1. Climatic zones of South America. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

A significant part of South America is located within the hot zone, where the sun is almost always at its zenith. The air temperatures are extremely high here. During the year, they vary from +22 to +28 C. To the south of the tropic itself, in a thermal temperate zone, it is slightly colder: in the south in winter - up to +12 ° C, and on the island of Tierra del Fuego, popular among tourists, the temperature drops to 0 ° WITH. There are also frosts in the mountains in winter.

Like other continents of tropical latitudes, constant winds prevail in South America.

Definition 1

Trade winds are steady, constant winds that occur as a result of sudden changes in atmospheric pressure in the earth's hemispheres, separated by the equator.

It is worth noting that, unlike the winds of Africa and Australia, the trade winds of South America bring the necessary precipitation to the mainland, as they form over the Atlantic Ocean, where the Guiana and Brazilian currents saturate the air with moisture. In addition, the lowland specificity of the relief of the eastern part of the specified continent helps the trade winds to quickly penetrate deep into all territories, up to the Andes. Therefore, on the entire surface of the flat areas, the action of stable winds is transformed into precipitation, which falls up to 3000 mm per year.

Climatic zones and climate types of South America

Mostly the entire territory of South America is located in the equatorial, tropical, subtropical and subequatorial climatic zones. Only the south of the continent is located in the temperate zone. Unlike Australia, all these climatic zones systematically replace each other only and move in the direction south of the equator.

During the formation of climatic processes on the mainland, the following types of climate arose:

equatorial - humid and warm throughout the year;
subequatorial - warm with rather humid summers and dry winters;
tropical - continental in the west and center, marine - in the east;
subtropical - with dry summers and wet winters;
moderate - marine observed in the west, continental - in the east.

South America is famous for its high-mountainous Andes climate, which is extremely varied. The emergence of climatic zones of the mountainous plains directly depends on their geographical latitude and the height of a particular area above sea level.

The climate of South America is primarily influenced by:

the geographical position of a significant part of the continent at low latitudes (12 degrees and 56 degrees S);
the specificity of the configuration of the mainland - expansion in the equatorial-tropical latitudes and a slight narrowing in the temperate zone;
practically unexpressed dismemberment of the coastline.

Remark 1

The following types of air masses are actively involved in the circulation of the atmosphere on the territory of this continent: tropical, equatorial and moderate.

The schematic map of the climatic zoning of South America is quite multifaceted, since only the regions of the equatorial belt include the Amazonian, alpine and Pacific characteristics, and in the tropical belt one can observe the actions of the Atlantic, continental, Pacific and Atlantic leeward regions.

Features of the monsoon circulation

The length of South America, which has a small land size, does not allow the mainland to receive the necessary development of important continental anticyclones in winter, as a result of which there is practically no monsoon circulation in the southeast of the continent in temperate and subtropical latitudes.

With prolonged heating of a vast area of South America, the constant pressure over the widest part of the continent at the level of the earth's surface is often much lower than over the territories that are washed by the ocean.

Equatorial type of circulation with dense convection of air masses (as a result of convergence - systematic convergence of trade winds) and subequatorial aspect with seasonal changes in tropical air masses (trade wind-monsoon type) are huge distribution. In the tropical zone in the east, you can regularly observe the trade winds of the southern hemisphere, and in temperate latitudes, intense westerly air transport almost always dominates.

Ocean currents system

The climate of South America is significantly influenced by ocean currents. Warm Brazilian and Guiana currents gradually increase the required moisture content of the trade winds, which as a result irrigate certain coasts. The inconsistent warm El Niño current off the western shores of famous Colombia greatly enhances the aridity of Patagonia's climate and contributes to the formation of the desert belt in the west of the continent.

The seasonal warm El Niño Current runs along the Pacific Northwest, with a water temperature of about 27 ° C. It should be noted that this current develops periodically in the summer when other cyclones pass at the equator. Its effect is reflected in the humidification and heating of air masses, which eventually give moisture to all the western slopes of the Andes.

Remark 2

The high barrier of the Andes completely limits the expansion of Pacific air masses through the narrow edge of the western territories and the adjacent mountain slopes.

The relationship of South America with neighboring oceans is manifested mainly in the form of a large-scale influx of oceanic masses from the western hinterland of the Atlantic anticyclones, as a result of which the eastern movement prevails.

The specifics of the climate of South America

South America is located on both sides of the equator, but its main part is located in the southern hemisphere. The widest part of the continent adjoins the equator and the southern tropic; in temperate and subtropical latitudes lies its dissected and narrowed extremity.

Geographic location between 12 ° N lat. NS. and 56 ° S. NS. suggests a fairly high amount of dangerous solar radiation on virtually the entire surface of South America. The main part of it reaches 120-160 kcal / cm2 per year, and only in the extreme south this figure decreases to 80 kcal / cm2. The radiation constant balance of the entire earth's surface has a negative value in the winter season in an extremely small part of the continent. The key factor of climate formation in South America is its orography.

Air currents coming from the Atlantic Ocean quickly penetrate westward up to the mountainous plains of the Andes. In the west and north, the Andes barrier affects the movement of air currents from the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The currents of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans also play a significant role in the formation of the climate of South America.

Inland, close to the tropical zone, the climate is mostly arid, with a pronounced dry winter and humid summer air. In terms of the annual precipitation regime, the climate of South America is close to subequatorial, but differs from it in sudden jumps in temperature and smaller amounts of precipitation, as well as in the lack of the necessary moisture.

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