Reasons influencing the climate of Eurasia. Climatic zones and regions of Eurasia
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2. What factors influence the climate of Eurasia?
The main influence on the climate of Eurasia is its gigantic size and topography.
3. Tell us about the influence of relief on the continent’s climate.
The relief has a huge impact on the climate of the continent. Especially high and extensive mountain systems. There are no high mountains on the western outskirts, and in the south there is a high-altitude Alpine-Himalayan belt. Therefore, moist air masses from the Atlantic Ocean penetrate far into the continent. Air masses from the Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean penetrate the mainland until they meet mountains on their way. Since air masses from the Indian Ocean travel a very short distance and release all the moisture on the windward slopes of the Himalayas, this is the wettest place on Earth.
4. What explains the wide distribution of continental climate types in Eurasia? In which areas of Eurasia is the monsoon climate common?
The wide distribution of continental climate types in Eurasia is explained by the large area of the continent and the presence of mountain systems in the south and east of the continent.
5. Choose the correct answer. The longest river in Eurasia: a) Indus; b) Yangtze; c) Volga; d) Yellow River.
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6. Using the map in Figure 33, compare the areas occupied by certain climate zones in Eurasia and North America; in Eurasia and southern continents. Note the similarities and differences.
In Eurasia and North America, climatic zones occupy similar areas relative to the size of the continents. In Eurasia, a large share of the continent falls in the temperate zone. The subarctic belt runs as a narrower strip and the subequatorial belt occupies a larger area. North America does not have an equatorial climate zone.
Eurasia has few similarities with the southern continents. There is no Arctic or subarctic zone on the southern continents. There are similarities with South America: the area of the tropical zone is smaller than the subequatorial zone.
7. Using Figure 163, trace how the January isotherms 00C and +80C pass. Compare the geographical location and January temperatures of Paris and Vladivostok; Basra and Shanghai; Lisbon and Shanghai.
Paris and Vladivostok are located respectively on the western and eastern coasts of the continent in temperate latitudes. Based on the coordinates, Paris is located in more northern latitudes. However, January temperatures in Paris fluctuate within a range of 0...+80C, and in Vladivostok - -8...-160C. Such high winter temperatures in Paris are associated with the influence of warm air masses from the Atlantic Ocean (temperate maritime climate).
Basra and Shanghai are located at approximately the same northern latitudes, but Shanghai is located on the east coast, and Basra is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. Winter temperatures in Basra are +8…+160С, in Shanghai – 0…+80С. This can be explained by the fact that Shanghai is located in a subtropical climate zone and is in the winter monsoon zone in January. Basra is already located in the tropical zone, where the warm air masses of the Arabian Peninsula dominate.
In Lisbon, which is located on the Atlantic coast, January temperatures are around +80C. In Shanghai, temperatures range from 0...+80C. With all this, Lisbon is located in more northern latitudes. The fact is that in winter, warm air masses from the ocean dominate in Lisbon, while cold air masses from the mainland dominate in Shanghai.
The climatic features of Eurasia are determined by the huge size of the continent, its large extent from north to south, the diversity of the prevailing air masses, as well as the specific structural features of its surface relief and the influence of the oceans.
Due to the large extent of the continent from north to south, due to the different amounts of solar radiation at specific latitudes, Eurasia is located in all climatic zones of the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic to the equatorial. The largest areas in area are occupied by the temperate zone, since it is in the temperate latitudes that the continent is most elongated from west to east.
All four main types of air masses form and dominate over the continental territory - arctic, temperate, tropical and equatorial. It is characteristic that maritime air masses are formed over the oceans in the temperate and tropical zones, and continental air masses are formed over the continent, the confrontation of which creates a wide variety of climate types in these latitudes of Eurasia. Thus, most of Eurasia is located in temperate latitudes, where the westerly transport of marine air masses is pronounced, increasing the influence of the Atlantic Ocean on the climate of the continent. And the interior regions of Eurasia within the temperate zone are under the determining influence of continental air masses formed in the zone of action of the Siberian (Mongolian) anticyclone. The eastern and southern regions of Asia are under the influence of monsoons, which transport air masses in winter from the mainland to the ocean, and in summer from the ocean to land (the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas, Eastern China, the Far East and the Japanese Islands).
The climate of Eurasia, like other continents, is greatly influenced by relief. The Alps, Carpathians, Caucasus, Himalayas and other mountains of the Alpine-Himalayan fold belt are an important climatic division of the continent. They block the path of cold and dry northern winds to the south and at the same time act as an insurmountable barrier to the path of warm and humid winds blowing from the south. Thus, in the basins of Central Asia, north of the Himalayas, 50-100 mm of precipitation falls per year, and at the foot of the eastern Himalayas - more than 10,000 mm per year. Winters in the countries of the European Mediterranean, beyond the barrier of the Alps, are warm, while on the plains of Central Europe they are relatively cold.
The influence of the oceans on the climate of Eurasia through the influence of ocean currents (Gulf Stream, Kuroshio, Kuril-Kamchatka, Indian Ocean monsoon currents) and the marine air masses formed above them is well known and does not cause difficulties when examined in the exam.
Let us briefly dwell on the features of climatic zones and types of climate (climatic regions) on the territory of Eurasia.
In the Arctic and subarctic zones areas with a maritime climate in the west of each zone are distinguished: small temperature amplitudes due to relatively warm winters and cool summers (the influence of branches of the North Atlantic Current). In the east of the zones the climate is continental with very cold winters (up to -40...-45° C). The northernmost islands of Eurasia, and in the east the strip of mainland adjacent to the Arctic Ocean, are located within the Arctic belt. In the Arctic zone, the maritime Arctic climate of the western European sector of the Arctic stands out: Spitsbergen and small oceanic islands in the western part of the Arctic Ocean. The marine climate of these islands is determined by the influence of the warm North Atlantic Current and is characterized by relatively high winter temperatures (from -160C to –200C) and significant annual precipitation (300 mm). The remaining territory of this belt has a continental Arctic climate. Dry, cold arctic air masses dominate here, due to which the entire water area of the Arctic Ocean, without coastal waters, is bound by dense, powerful ice throughout the year. The Arctic belt is a supplier of cold air masses to the continent. In all seasons of the year their movement is directed to the south.
Within the temperate zone stretching across the entire continent, there is a wide variety of climate types. The marine type of climate in the western regions of Europe is formed under the year-round influence of marine air masses from the Atlantic. Summers here are cool, winters are relatively warm even in northern latitudes on the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula. When Atlantic cyclones pass, the weather changes quickly: there may be cold spells in summer and thaws in winter. The region of transitional climate from maritime to continental is occupied mainly by the territories of Central Europe. As you move away from the ocean, the difference (amplitude) between summer and winter temperatures increases: winter becomes noticeably colder. In summer there is more precipitation than in the cold season. In Eastern Europe (up to the Urals) the climate is considered moderate continental. Beyond the Urals, in Siberia and Central Asia, winters are very cold and dry, summers are hot and relatively humid. This is an area of sharply continental temperate climate. The Pacific coast has a monsoon climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters.
In the subtropical zone On the plains the air temperatures are positive all year round. The northern boundary of the belt is drawn according to the January isotherm at 0°C. On the territory of Eurasia, three climatic regions are distinguished in this belt. Mediterranean - in the west of the belt. Here, dry tropical air masses dominate in summer (cloudless and hot in summer), and sea air of temperate latitudes dominates in winter (it rains in winter). The area of continental subtropical climate occupies the territory of the Western Asian Plateaus (the Asia Minor Peninsula, the Armenian and northern Iranian Plateaus). Winters in this area are relatively cold (snowfalls and temperatures below 0°C are possible), summers are hot and very dry. The annual amount of precipitation is small, and it falls in the winter-spring period. The region of monsoon subtropical climate is in the east of China and occupies the southern half of the Japanese Islands. Here the characteristic precipitation regime is the summer maximum in its annual distribution.
Tropical zone in Eurasia it does not form a continuous strip and is represented only in southwest Asia (the Arabian Peninsula, southern Mesopotamia and the Iranian Plateau, the northwestern regions of the Hindustan Peninsula). Continental tropical air masses dominate here throughout the year. The amount of precipitation on the plains does not exceed 200 mm, and in the desert areas of the belt - below 50 mm per year. Summer is very hot - average July temperatures range from +30 to +35°C. In Riyadh (Arabia), temperatures up to +55°C were recorded. Average January temperatures are from +12° to +16°C.
Subequatorial belt includes the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas, the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the island of Sri Lanka (without the southwestern part), Southeast China, and the Philippine Islands. This belt is characterized by seasonal changes in air masses: in summer, humid equatorial air, brought by the monsoon, dominates; in winter - the relatively dry tropical trade wind of the northern hemisphere. The hottest time of the year is spring, when daytime temperatures can exceed +40°C.
Equatorial climate The belt is located on the islands of the Malay Archipelago (without East Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands), the Malacca Peninsula, the southwest of Sri Lanka and the south of the Philippine Islands. Marine equatorial air masses dominate here throughout the year. They are formed from tropical air arriving with the trade winds of both hemispheres. This climate is characterized by heavy rainfall (2000-4000 mm per year) and constantly high temperatures (above +25°C).
There are also two zones of low rainfall in Eurasia:
One of them occupies the north of the continent, where the average annual precipitation decreases from the west (Kola Peninsula 400 mm) to the east (northern Yakutia 100 mm or less). The second zone, which includes almost half the area of the continent, is formed by territories that differ in natural conditions and are located outside the sphere of influence of the sea air of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. It includes: the southeast of the East European Plain, Arabia, the Iranian Plateau, Central Asia, the predominant part of Western Siberia, the Tibetan Plateau. Central Asia, Central Siberia and the north of the Far East, Altai and the Sayan Mountains turned out to be a kind of more humid island among the arid territory. Moreover, Western, Western, Southwestern and Central Asia are almost completely rainless.
Winter in Eurasia is characterized by the following patterns. The lowest average January temperature is observed in the intermountain basins of the Oymyakon Highlands. In Oymyakon at an altitude of 600 m it is 50 C, while the absolute minimum is 72.2 C (in Verkhoyansk). The reason for such cold weather is the prolonged stagnation and intense cooling of continental air in intermountain trenches at a local maximum of atmospheric pressure. The area of greatest cold is outlined by an isotherm of -32 C, passing east of the lower reaches of the Yenisei, along its right tributary of the Lower Tunguska, along the Vilyuy (left tributary of the Lena), further through the Verkhoyansk ridge and the Chersky ridge to the Kolyma, in the north it is limited by the northern coast of the mainland. The location of the area of greatest cold not on the axis of the continent, but much to the east, is explained by the frequent invasion of relatively warm sea air of temperate latitudes from the Atlantic Ocean. The zero isotherm forms a giant oval, outside of which remain Great Britain, France and the following peninsulas: the Iberian, Apennine, Balkan, Arabian, Hindustan, Indochina, excluding the Japanese, Kuril and Komandorsky peninsulas. When moving from north to south, the duration of snow cover varies from 280 cm to several cm. Its height on the coast of the Arctic Ocean is 40-50 cm, on the East European and West Siberian plains in the taiga zone up to 70-90 cm. With further moving south, its power decreases until it disappears completely. On the western slopes of the Northern Urals and in the Yenisei elevated part of the Central Siberian Plateau, snow accumulates up to 90 cm, and in the mountains of Kamchatka up to 120 cm.
The major axis of the Eurasian continent is clearly visible on numerous synoptic maps specifically for the winter period. In winter, a high pressure band advances from the southern part of Eastern Siberia, which passes south of the Ural Mountains, through the forest-steppe of Ukraine, the Danube regions, southern France and Spain, reaching the Azores high. A similar axis is formed in the summer months, but less pronounced. The high pressure axis is characterized by dry, cloudless weather, calm or weak winds, severe frosts in winter and heat in summer. It plays an important role in the winter circulation of the atmosphere, deflecting cyclones from the Atlantic to the north. The widespread development of the Asian anticyclone is also due to the presence of centers of stable low atmospheric pressure in the North Atlantic near Iceland (Icelandic minimum) and over the northern part of the Pacific Ocean near the Aleutian Islands (Aleutian minimum). At the same time, in the area of the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and over the Arctic, there are centers of high atmospheric pressure (Azores and Arctic highs). The general nature of the westerly transfer of air masses is enhanced by the appearance in the winter months of stable air flows in the southeast of the continent of the northwestern continental monsoon, typical of northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula and most of the Japanese Islands. In eastern Asia, in the temperate and subtropical zones, for this reason, abnormally cold and dry winters are common (compared to these latitudes in Europe).
The climate of Eurasia is extremely diverse. In the north it is very cold, in the south it is extremely hot, on the western and eastern outskirts of the continent it is predominantly humid, and in the central regions it is arid (Fig. 176). The reason for such heterogeneity in the climate of Eurasia is the uneven supply of solar radiation to its surface, which is associated with the location of this continent in all geographical zones of the Northern Hemisphere.
It's getting warmer in Europe. Over the past 500 years, winters in Europe have beennoticeably colder than in the 20th century. The winter of 1708-1709 was a record frosty one, when the temperature dropped more than 7°C below average. Sharp warming began after 1977. The hottest decade occurred between 1994 and 2003. The highest temperature in the last 500 years was observed in 2003.
Another reason for the heterogeneity of the continent’s climate is the different types of air mass circulation inherent in Eurasia. Most of its territory is dominated by western transport. The tropical zone is characterized by trade winds, and the extreme east and south are characterized by monsoons.
In winter, when the westerly transport of air masses intensifies, cyclones from the Atlantic dominate almost the entire territory of Europe. Due to this, the air temperature in the northern and southern regions differs little. The zonal distribution of temperature is disrupted, so January isotherms extend almost along the meridians.
As it moves eastward from the Atlantic, the westerly transport weakens and becomes colder. The central part of the continent is especially cold, where the average temperature is -24 °C, and frosts often reach -40 °C. As a result, a high pressure area is formed here - the Asian High. From here, continental temperate air masses spread in all directions. Particularly powerful air currents move towards the Pacific and Indian oceans, over which at this time areas of low atmospheric pressure have already formed. This is how the dry and cold winter monsoon occurs.
In summer, the westerly transport of air masses weakens somewhat. Therefore, the zonal distribution of temperature becomes more noticeable, as evidenced by the predominantly latitudinal extent of the July isotherms. The highest temperatures in Eurasia occur over the hot Indo-Gangetic lowland, which is isolated from the ocean on almost all sides by mountain barriers. Therefore, an area of very low pressure is formed here - the South Asian Low.
Unlike most of Asia, the surface of the Pacific and Indian oceans is cooled in summer. Therefore, areas of high pressure arise over the oceans. From here, air masses move to land, forming a powerful, humid and warm summer monsoon.
In general, the annual amount of atmospheric precipitation in Eurasia naturally decreases from the outskirts of the continent to its central regions (Fig. 177). Here it reaches its minimum. This is explained
weakening of the activity of westerly transport cyclones and monsoons, as well as the increasing influence of dry continental air masses from the interior regions of Eurasia. Most precipitation falls on windward mountain slopes. Material from the site
- Climate of Eurasia extremely diverse, which is due to the location of the continent in all geographical zones of the Northern Hemisphere, heterogeneous air circulation and complex terrain.
- Average annual amount atmospheric precipitation, falling out in Eurasia, naturally decreases in the direction from the outskirts of the continent to its central regions.
On this page there is material on the following topics:
Climate of Eurasia abstract
Climate of Eurasia summary
Abstract climate of Eurasia
Report on continent Eurasia with pictures
Table of climate features in Eurasia
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The climatic features of the Eurasian continent are determined by its gigantic size, large extent from north to south, the variety of prevailing air masses, as well as the specific structure of the relief and the influence of the oceans.
What affects the climate of the continent
Due to its wide extent, the continent is characterized by all climate types of the Northern Hemisphere. The largest area is located in the temperate climate zone. All four types of main climatic masses are formed over the continental territory: arctic, temperate, equatorial and tropical.
A characteristic feature is that in areas adjacent to the oceans, marine air masses are formed, which cause climate instability.
The climate of the continent is also influenced by the mountain systems of the Alps, Himalayas, Caucasus and Carpathians; they prevent the penetration of dry and cold northern winds to the south of the continent, and also act as a protective barrier to warm and humid southern air currents. The climate of Eurasia is also influenced by ocean currents: Kuroshio, Gulf Stream, Kuril-Kamchatka. Warm currents significantly soften the climate, while cold currents make it classic continental.
Arctic to Temperate
In the Arctic and subarctic zones, regions with a warm climate are distinguished; in the west of the belt, a small amplitude of fluctuations is due to relatively warm winters and cool summers. In the territories of the eastern direction, the climate is continental; minimum temperatures in winter reach - 45 °C.
Within the temperate zone, various types of climate are observed. The western regions of Europe are characterized by a maritime type of climate: thanks to the warm masses of the Atlantic, the winters here are warm, in the summer the air temperature is moderate, and significant cold snaps are possible.
Central and Eastern Europe is under the influence of a transitional climate. The distance from the ocean contributes to a significant increase in temperature amplitude. Regions with a sharply continental climate: Trans-Urals, Siberia and Central Asia.
Winters in these regions are dry and frosty, summers are warm with high humidity levels. The Pacific coast (Far East and Japan) is dominated by a monsoon climate.
From the subtropics to the equatorial belt
In the subtropical zone of Eurasia, three climatic regions are distinguished: the Mediterranean subtropics (Italy, Greece), the continental subtropics (Iran, Armenia), and the monsoon subtropics (China and the Japanese islands).
The tropical belt of the mainland covers the southwest of Asia (the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Hindustan). Summers in these regions are very hot with minimal precipitation, winters are warm, with an average temperature of + 20°C.
The subequatorial belt includes the Indochina Peninsula, northern Sri Lanka and the Philippine Islands. For these regions, the characteristic seasonal change in air masses is dominated by monsoon humid air in summer, and dry trade winds of the Northern Hemisphere in winter.
The equatorial belt covers the islands of the Malay Archipelago, the south of Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Marine equatorial air masses persist here throughout the year. These areas are characterized by heavy rainfall and stable high temperatures.
The enormous size of the territory of Eurasia and the nature of the relief also determine the main features of its climate. High mountains cover the continent from the south and east from the penetration of air masses of the Pacific and Indian Oceans deep into the continent. In the west and north, Eurasia is “open” to the influence of the Atlantic and Arctic Ocean.Eurasia is located in all climatic zones Northern Hemisphere: from Arctic to Equatorial. However, the largest area is occupied by the temperate zone. In the outlying areas, the maritime climate predominates, while in the interior areas it is continental and sharply continental.
IN arctic And subarctic zones There are sharp differences between the western regions with a maritime climate (with a slight temperature range, high precipitation, relatively warm winters and cool summers) and the eastern regions with a continental climate (very cold winters, up to -40...-45 °C and significantly less precipitation) .
Within temperate zone There are 4 climatic regions. The maritime climate of the west coast is formed under the influence of Atlantic air masses. Here summers are cool and winters are relatively warm. Precipitation is distributed evenly throughout the year. When cyclones pass, the weather changes quickly; there may be cold snaps in the summer and thaws in the winter. Unstable weather and relatively wet winters are also characteristic of the temperate continental (transitional from maritime to continental) climate region characteristic of Central and Eastern Europe. As you move away from the ocean, the annual temperature range increases (due to colder winters) and the amount of precipitation decreases. There is more precipitation in summer than in winter. Beyond the Yenisei, in Eastern Siberia and Central Asia, the climate is sharply continental with very cold, dry winters and hot, moderately humid summers. The east coast of the mainland is dominated by a monsoon climate with warm, humid summers and cold, dry winters.
IN subtropical zone three climatic regions. The west has a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and wet winters. This is due to the fact that dry tropical air comes here in summer, and sea air from temperate latitudes in winter. The highlands of Asia Minor, northern Iran and Armenia have a continental subtropical climate with cold winters (temperatures can drop below 0 °C) and hot, very dry summers (little precipitation falls mainly in the winter-spring period). To the east of the mainland, the subtropics are represented by a region of monsoon climate with a summer maximum of precipitation.
IN tropical zone On the Arabian Peninsula, in Mesopotamia, in the south of the Iranian plateau and in the lower Indus basin, very dry and hot continental air masses dominate throughout the year. Summer is very hot (up to +30...+35 °c), winter is warm (+18...+24 °c). The amount of precipitation on the plains rarely exceeds 200 mm; in a number of desert places no more than 50 mm of precipitation falls per year. In the east, the tropical belt wedges out.
Between 10-20° N located on the Hindustan and Indochina peninsulas, as well as in the extreme south of China subequatorial belt with a monsoon climate. Even further south, on the Malacca Peninsula and the islands of the Malay Archipelago, the equatorial zone with a constantly hot (above +25 °C) and humid climate is widespread.
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