How many climatic zones are on the globe. Climatic zones of the earth. Brief overview of transitional natural zones

Weather in certain parts of our planet is always determined by the climatic zone. There are few of them, but in each hemisphere this or that natural area has its own characteristics. Now we will consider the main climatic zones of our planet and transitional ones, we will note their main features and position.

A few common words

Our planet, as you know, consists of land and water. In addition, these two components have a different structure (on land there may be mountains, lowlands, hills or deserts, the ocean may have a cold or warm current). That is why the impact that the Sun has on the Earth with the same intensity is displayed in completely different ways in different areas. Such interaction was the reason that the main climatic zones of the world and the transitional ones that are between them were formed. The former have large area are characterized by stable weather conditions. The latter stretch in narrow strips parallel to the equator, and the temperature in their various regions can be very diverse.

Main natural areas

For the first time, geographers identified the main climatic zones of the planet in the middle of the 19th century, and then they were mostly descriptive. From then until today there were four of them: polar, temperate, tropical and equatorial. In addition, it is important to highlight that scientists now divide the polar climate into two different zones - the Arctic and the Antarctic. The fact is that the poles of the Earth are not symmetrical, and therefore the weather in each of these areas is different. In the north, oddly enough, the climate is milder; vegetation is even found in the subpolar regions, as the snow cover melts in summer. In the south, you will not find such phenomena, and seasonal temperature fluctuations there go off scale for 60 degrees. Below is the belts of the world, looking at which you can quickly navigate in their location.

Equatorial climate over land

The location of this natural zone is the northern part of South America; the countries of Central Africa and the Congo Basin, as well as the upper Nile; most of the Indonesian archipelago. Each of these places has a very humid climate. The annual rainfall here is 3000 mm or more. For this reason, many areas that fall into the zone of equatorial cyclones are covered with swamps. Comparing all other climatic zones and regions of our world with the equator, we can say with full confidence that this is the most wet zone. It is worth noting that in summer it rains here much more often than in winter. They fall in the form of short-term and very heavy downpours, the effects of which dry up in minutes, and the sun warms the earth again. There are no seasonal temperature fluctuations here - throughout the year, the thermometer stays within 28-35 above zero.

Maritime equatorial climate

The band that stretches along the equator across the ocean is called the dynamic minimum zone. The pressure here is as low as over land, which provokes a huge amount of precipitation - over 3500 mm per year. Among other things, such humid climatic zones and areas above the waters are characterized by clouds and fogs. Very dense air masses are formed here due to the fact that both the air and, in fact, the water surface are filled with moisture. The currents are warm everywhere, thanks to which the water evaporates very quickly and its natural natural circulation occurs constantly. The temperature regime is kept within +24 - +28 degrees without interseasonal fluctuations.

Tropical zone over land

We note right away that the main climatic zones of our world are very different from each other, and this does not depend on how close they are to each other. A striking example of this is the tropics, which, in fact, are not so far from the equator. This natural area is divided into two parts - North and South. In the first case, it occupies a significant part of Eurasia (Arabia, South part Iran, the extreme points of Europe in the Mediterranean), North Africa, and Central America (mainly Mexico). In the second, these are the territories of some states of South America, the Kalahari Desert in Africa and the central part of mainland Australia. A dry and hot climate reigns here with very sharp temperature changes. The amount of precipitation per year is 300 mm, clouds, fogs and rains are extremely rare. Summer is always very hot - over +35 degrees, and in winter the temperature drops to +18. The temperature fluctuates just as sharply within the day - during the day it can be as much as +40, and at night it will be only +20. Very often, monsoons fly over the tropics - strong winds that destroy rocks. That is why so many deserts formed in this zone.

Tropics over the oceans

The table of climatic zones of the world gives us the opportunity to understand that over the ocean, the tropics have slightly different characteristics. Here it is more humid, but also cooler, it rains more often and the winds blow more strongly. The amount of precipitation falling per year is 500 mm. The average summer temperature is +25 degrees, and the average winter temperature is +15. Currents are also considered a feature of the oceanic tropical climate. Cold waters pass along the western coasts of America, Africa and Australia, therefore it is always cooler and drier here. And the eastern shores are washed warm waters, and here there is more rain and the air temperature is much higher.

The largest natural zone: the climate is temperate. Features over land

The main climatic zones of the planet cannot be imagined without temperate zone, which dominates most of Eurasia and This area is characterized by changes in the season - winter, spring, summer, autumn, in which humidity and temperature fluctuate to a large extent. Conventionally, the continental zone is divided into two subtypes:

Polar Regions of the Earth

High pressure zones are located in the Far North and the Far South of our planet. In the first case, this is the water area of ​​the Arctic Ocean and all the islands located there. The second is Antarctica. A map of the climatic zones of the world often shows us both zones as identical in their weather conditions areas. In fact, there is a difference between them. In the North, annual temperature fluctuations are approximately 40 degrees. In winter, the temperature drops to -50, and in summer it warms up to +5. In Antarctica, the temperature difference is as much as 60 degrees, in winter the frosts are extremely severe -70 or more, and in summer the thermometer does not rise above zero. A characteristic phenomenon for both poles is polar day and night. In summer, the sun does not go below the horizon for several months, and in winter, accordingly, it does not appear at all.

Transitional climatic zones of the planet

These natural zones are located between the main ones. Despite this, they have their own characteristics that distinguish them from the general background. As a rule, such transition zones are places where milder weather, normal humidity and moderate winds prevail. Transitional climatic zones were discovered at the end of the 19th century, their classification remains unchanged to this day. Every schoolchild knows their names - subequatorial, subtropical and subpolar. Now we will look at each of them.

Brief overview of transitional natural zones

• Subequatorial climate. Characterized by seasonal change of weather. In winter, the direction of the wind brings tropical air masses here. Therefore, there is very little precipitation, the air becomes cooler, the clouds dissipate. In summer, the direction of the wind changes, equatorial cyclones fall here. Due to this, a huge amount of precipitation falls - 3000 mm, it becomes very hot.
• Subtropical. Located between the tropics and temperate latitudes. Here the situation is similar. In summer, winds blow from the tropics, due to which it becomes very hot and sunny. In winter, cyclones arrive from temperate latitudes, it becomes cold, sometimes it snows, but no permanent cover is formed.
• subpolar climate. Dynamic minimum zone, with high humidity and very low temperatures - more than -50. It is noteworthy that on Saturday polar zone occupies mainly land, and in the South - it is a continuous water area in the region of Antarctica.

What are the climatic zones in Russia?

Our country is located in the Northern Hemisphere and at the same time in the Eastern. The climate here begins to form in the waters of the Arctic Ocean and ends on the shores of the Black Sea, in the Caucasus. Now we list all the names of the main climatic zones that are found in Russia: arctic, subarctic, temperate, subtropical. Most of the country's territory is occupied by a temperate zone. It is conditionally divided into four types: moderate and monsoonal. Humidity levels and temperature fluctuations depend on how deep a geographic feature is in the continent. In general, the state is characterized by the presence of all four seasons, hot and dry summers and cold winters, with constant snow cover.

Conclusion

The features of a particular climate on the planet largely depend on the relief over which it is located. The north of the Earth is mostly covered by land, therefore a zone of the so-called dynamic maximum has formed here. There is always a small amount of precipitation, strong winds and large seasonal temperature fluctuations. The main climatic zones of the northern hemisphere are the polar zone, temperate, and tropical. In the south of the planet, most of the territory is occupied by water. The climate here is always more humid, temperature drops are less. Most of the countries here are located in subequatorial latitudes, tropics and subtropics. The temperate zone covers only a small plot of land in South America. Also, a significant part of the land is occupied by the Antarctic zone, which is located above the continent of the same name.

The amount of total solar radiation -- 140-150 kcal/cm 2 in year. Radiation balance on the mainland-- 80 kcal/cm 2 per year, on the Ocean - 100-120 kcal/cm 2 in year. Reduced pressure and weak, unstable winds predominate, favoring the development of thermal convection.

Evaporation is equally great both over the Ocean and over the mainland, covered with dense vegetation. The absolute humidity of the air is more than 30 g/zh 3 over land, the relative humidity is 70% even in the driest places. Average monthly temperature air fluctuates from 24 to 28 °. The amount of precipitation almost everywhere exceeds the possible evaporation and reaches an average of 2000 mm in year. The greatest amount of precipitation generally falls on the periods of equinoxes, but this pattern is not observed everywhere.

Continental and oceanic types of equatorial climate differ very little. In the highland equatorial climate, the temperature is somewhat lower, the amount of precipitation is less (due to a decrease in moisture content with altitude). At an altitude of 4500 m lies the boundary of the belt of eternal snows.

Climates of subequatorial belts (tropical monsoon belts). This climate is composed, as it were, of two climatic regimes: in the summer hemisphere, the equatorial monsoon is directed from the equator and brings moisture; in the winter hemisphere, the monsoon blows towards the equator from the tropics, and the air humidity decreases.

Continental subequatorial climate formed on all continents. The boundary of the equatorial monsoons in the inner parts of the continents lies on the average at about 18°N. sh. The border goes especially far from the equator in Asia (Indostan, Indochina).

The continental subequatorial climate is characterized by wet summers, dry winters and dry hot springs. On the plains, as you move away from the equator, the amount of precipitation decreases. The annual temperature variation has two minimums (in winter and summer) and two maximums (in spring and autumn). Some decrease in temperature in summer is caused by the influence of equatorial air, which at this time is several (up to 5) degrees colder than tropical air. Precipitation rarely exceeds 2000 mm in year.

In mountainous regions, the temperature decreases with height, but the nature of the annual variation of meteorological elements is preserved. On the slopes that take over the equatorial monsoons, the amount of precipitation increases very sharply, reaching the maximum amount.

The oceanic subequatorial climate is observed on all oceans in the northern hemisphere, in the southern - over the Indian and western parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The boundary of its distribution lies on average about 12 ° latitude. Tropical cyclones occur more frequently near this boundary.

Summer in the oceanic subequatorial climate is more humid and more (by 2-3°) warmer than winter. It differs from the continental variety of this climate by higher air humidity and lower temperature.

Climates of the tropical zones.

The annual amount of total radiation due to low cloudiness in the tropical zone is greater than in the equatorial zone: on the mainland - 180-200 kcal/cm 2 per year, on the Ocean - 160 kcal/cm 2 V year. However, due to the fact that the effective radiation is also very large, the radiation balance is only 60 kcal/cm 2 per year on the mainland and 80-100 kcal/cm 2 per year on the ocean.

In anticyclones over the oceans and in baric depressions of thermal origin over the continents, tropical air is formed, which differs from the air at the equator by lower humidity. For continental tropical air, this is explained by very low evaporation, for marine air, by the stable stratification of the trade winds (trade wind inversion), which interferes with vertical exchange and the transfer of moisture to higher layers of the troposphere.

The continental tropical climate is very dry and hot, with large daily fluctuations in air temperature (up to 40°). The average annual amplitude of air temperature is about 20°. Relative Humidity about 30% in summer. This climate is typical for the inland deserts of the tropical zone.

With altitude, the air temperature drops, and the amount of precipitation increases. The snow line is located approximately at an altitude of 5300 m, in especially protected areas rising to 6000 m.

The oceanic tropical climate is similar to the equatorial climate, since the daily and annual temperature fluctuations over the ocean are relatively small, and differs from the equatorial climate in less cloudiness and steady winds.

The tropical climate of the western coasts of the continents is very peculiar. It is characterized by relatively low air temperature (18-20°C) and low precipitation (less than 100 mm per year) at high air humidity (80-90%). This is the climate of coastal deserts (Western Sahara, Namib, Atacama, California).

The formation of the climate of the western coast of the continents in the tropical zone is influenced by cold currents and air inflow in the eastern part of the subtropical maximum (anticyclone) from temperate latitudes, which enhance the inversion that exists in the trade winds. As a result, the border temperature inversion is located below the condensation limit and convection does not develop, and therefore clouds do not form and precipitation does not fall. The annual temperature variation is the same as in the ocean type. Fogs are very frequent, breezes are developed.

With height, the air temperature first increases slightly (since the influence of the cold current decreases), then decreases; rainfall does not increase.

The tropical climate of the eastern coasts of the continents differs from the climate of the western coasts by higher temperatures and more precipitation. Due to the influence of the warm current and air brought in the western part of the anticyclone from the equator, the trade wind inversion is weakened and does not prevent convection.

In the mountains on the windward slopes, there is more precipitation, but their amount does not increase with height, since the trade winds are wet only in the lower layer. There is little precipitation on the leeward slopes.

Climates of subtropical zones

In winter, the radiation regime and the nature of the circulation are formed almost in the same way as in temperate zone, in summer - the same as in the tropical zone.

Compared to the tropical zone, the annual amount of solar radiation decreases by about 20%, its seasonal fluctuations become more noticeable.

In summer, anticyclones are well expressed over the oceans, and areas of low pressure over the continents. in winter in subtropical zone cyclonic activity prevails.

Continental subtropical climate. Summer is hot and dry. The average temperature of the summer months is 30° and above, the maximum temperature is over 50°. Winter is relatively cold, with precipitation. Annual rainfall around 500 mm, and on the windward slopes of the mountains - four or five times more. Snow falls in winter, but a stable snow cover does not form.

With height, the amount of precipitation increases. The air temperature drops, and above 2000 m above sea level in winter, snow cover remains for a short time.

The oceanic subtropical climate differs from the continental subtropical climate in a more uniform annual variation in air temperature. The average temperature of the warmest month is about 20°, the coldest is about 12°.

Subtropical climate of the western coasts of the continents (Mediterranean). Summer is not hot, dry. Winter is relatively warm and rainy. In summer, the coast falls under the influence of the eastern periphery of the subtropical anticyclone. In winter, cyclonic activity dominates here.

The subtropical climate of the eastern coasts has a monsoon character. Winters are cold and dry compared to other climates in this zone, while summers are hot and humid. This climate is well expressed only in the northern hemisphere, and especially on the east coast of Asia.

Climates of temperate zones.

The annual average radiation balance is two times less than in the tropical zone, which largely depends on cloud cover. At the same time, in summer it differs little from the radiation balance of the tropical zone, while in winter the radiation balance on the mainland is negative. The development of cyclonic activity provides meridional air transport. Precipitation is mainly associated with the passage of cyclones.

Continental temperate climate -- climate of the continents of the northern hemisphere. Summers are warm (can be hot), winters are cold with stable snow cover.

Radiation balance on average per year 20-30 kcal/cm 2 , in the summer months it differs little from the tropical (6 kcal/cm 2 per month), and in winter it is a negative value (-1 kcal/cm 2 per month).

In summer, an intense transformation takes place over the continents air masses coming from the oceans and from the north. The air is heated, additionally moistened due to the moisture evaporated from the surface of the mainland. In winter, the air is cooled in anticyclones. The temperature falls below -- 30°. precipitation more in summer, but prolonged air transformation can lead to drought.

In the mountains in summer it is much colder than on the plain, and in winter on the plain (as a result of the entry of cold air masses) it is often colder than in the mountains. On the slopes of the mountains, especially on the western ones, facing towards prevailing winds, there is more precipitation than in the plains.

Oceanic temperate climate. The radiation balance of the surface of the oceans on average per year is 1.5 times greater than on the continents. Warm currents bring to temperate latitudes almost as much heat as the radiative balance provides. About 2/3 of the heat is spent on evaporation, the rest goes to warm the atmosphere (turbulent heat transfer) in winter.

Winter over the oceans is much warmer than over the continents, summer is cooler. Cyclonic activity is developed throughout the year.

The temperate climate of the western coasts of the continents is formed under the influence of the western transfer of air from the Ocean to the mainland; differs from the continental climate by smaller annual temperature fluctuations. Precipitation falls fairly evenly in all seasons.

The temperate climate of the eastern coasts of the continents is due to the movement of air from the Ocean to the mainland in summer, and from the mainland to the Ocean in winter. Summers are rainy, winters are dry and cold. Cold currents lower the summer air temperature, in spring and early summer they contribute to the formation of fogs.

Climates of the subarctic and subantarctic belts

Continental subarctic climate formed only in the northern hemisphere. Radiation balance 10-12 kcal/cm 2 in year. Summer is relatively warm, short, winter is severe. The annual amplitude of temperature fluctuations is very large. Precipitation is low (less than 200 mm in year). In summer, northerly winds prevail. Coming from the north and transforming over the mainland, the air approaches in its qualities to the Arctic.

In the mountains in winter there is a powerful inversion. The differences between summer and winter temperatures are very great in relief depressions, where air exchange is weakened.

The oceanic subarctic and subantarctic climate does not have sharp differences between winter and summer temperatures. The annual temperature amplitude is not more than 20°. Cyclonic activity is developed throughout the year.

Climates of the Arctic and Antarctic belts

The radiation balance for the year is close to zero on average. The snow cover does not melt all year round. The high reflectivity of snow leads to the fact that even in summer the radiation balance is very small. So, on st. Pionerskaya (70°S) with total radiation in December 24 kcal/cm 2 per month radiation balance on the snow surface is less than 2 kcal.

The predominance of anticyclonic weather contributes to the constant cooling of the air in the central regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. There are few rainfalls. However, precipitation and moisture condensation on the cold snow surface together exceed evaporation.

The continental polar climate is well expressed in the southern hemisphere. Very harsh winter and cold summer. All months have a negative average temperature. The minimum temperature recorded is -88.3°.

Oceanic polar climate - the climate of the northern polar regions, which forms above the surface of the ocean, covered with ice. In the arrival of heat in winter, a significant role is played by the heat of ocean waters, penetrating through the ice. From October to April the radiation balance is negative, from May to September it is positive.

The average January temperature in the center of the Arctic (-40°C) is higher than in northeast Asia. In summer, as a result of the loss of a large amount of heat for the melting of snow and ice and for evaporation, the temperature is about 0 °. The weather in summer is mostly cloudy. Precipitation is low (about 100 mm in year).

Climatic zones

Climatic zones

(climatic zones), the largest units of climatic zoning are vast areas of the Earth, elongated in the main. along parallels and selected according to climatic indicators (equatorial belt, subtropical belt, etc.). They are called belts due to the location of the main. climatic zones around the entire globe, although some of them have gaps or limited spatial distribution. Climatic zones are subdivided into climatic regions and even smaller units. In the mountains, vertical climatic zones are also distinguished, located one above the other within a given mountain range.

Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia. - M.: Rosman. Under the editorship of prof. A. P. Gorkina. 2006 .

See what "climatic zones" are in other dictionaries:

Climatic zones and regions - … Geographic atlas

1. Annual rainfall. 2. Climatic zones and regions of the USSR - … Geographic atlas

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CLIMATE STATIONS- CLIMATIC STATIONS, a type of resorts where as the main to lay down. factors are used climate, features of the area. K. s. arranged at different latitudes in different climates, conditions: in the mountains of different heights, on the plain (in forests, steppes ... ... Big Medical Encyclopedia

Maps on which, based on the results of long-term observations, the territorial distribution of climatic conditions is presented. K. k. can be compiled both for individual climate characteristics (temperature, precipitation, air humidity, etc.), and ...

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Two geographic zones of the Earth, located in the North. hemisphere, approximately between 40° and 65° N. sh., in the South - between 42 ° and 58 ° S. sh. They occupy about 1/4 of the Earth's surface area, significantly surpassing the rest of the geographical zones. IN… … Great Soviet Encyclopedia

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Books

• Planet Earth. Tropical and subtropical belts, N. B. Kryazhimskaya. Series `Planet Earth` is conceived as an encyclopedic publication that would contain almost all the most interesting information about our planet. The most extensive climatic zones in terms of area ...
• Climatic zones and regions of the world. Poster, . Scale 1:25 000 000. Colored backgrounds on the map show the average annual rainfall, lines of equal rainfall, July and January isotherms, absolute maximums, minimum temperatures,…

Climate- this is a long-term weather regime characteristic of a particular area. It manifests itself in a regular change of all types of weather observed in this area.

Climate influences living and inanimate nature. In close dependence on the climate are water bodies, soil, vegetation, animals. Separate sectors of the economy, especially Agriculture are also highly dependent on climate.

The climate is formed as a result of the interaction of many factors: the amount of solar radiation entering the earth's surface; atmospheric circulation; the nature of the underlying surface. At the same time, climate-forming factors themselves depend on geographical conditions the area, especially geographical latitude.

The geographic latitude of the area determines the angle of incidence of the sun's rays, the receipt of a certain amount of heat. However, obtaining heat from the Sun also depends on the proximity of the ocean. In places far from the oceans, there is little precipitation, and the mode of precipitation is uneven (in the warm period more than in the cold), cloudiness is low, winters are cold, summers are warm, and the annual temperature amplitude is large. Such a climate is called continental, as it is typical of places located in the depths of continents. A maritime climate is formed above the water surface, which is characterized by: a smooth course of air temperature, with small daily and annual temperature amplitudes, high cloudiness, a uniform and fairly large amount of precipitation.

The climate is greatly influenced by sea ​​currents. Warm currents warm the atmosphere in the areas where they flow. So, for example, the warm North Atlantic Current creates favorable conditions for the growth of forests in the southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, while most of the island of Greenland, which lies approximately at the same latitudes as the Scandinavian Peninsula, but is outside the zone of influence of the warm current, all year round covered with a thick layer of ice.

plays an important role in shaping the climate relief. You already know that with the rise of the terrain for each kilometer, the air temperature drops by 5-6 ° C. Therefore, on the high slopes of the Pamirs, the average annual temperature- 1 ° C, although it is located a little north of the tropic.

The location of mountain ranges has a great influence on the climate. For example, Caucasian mountains they hold back moist sea winds, and on their windward slopes facing the Black Sea, much more precipitation falls than on their leeward slopes. At the same time, the mountains serve as an obstacle to the cold northern winds.

There is a dependence of climate and prevailing winds. On the territory of the East European Plain, for almost the entire year, westerly winds prevail, coming from Atlantic Ocean therefore, winters in this area are relatively mild.

Districts Far East are under the influence of the monsoons. In winter, winds constantly blow from the depths of the mainland. They are cold and very dry, so there is little rainfall. In summer, on the contrary, the winds bring a lot of moisture from the Pacific Ocean. In autumn, when the wind from the ocean subsides, the weather is usually sunny and calm. This best time years in this area.

Climate characteristics are statistical inferences from long-term weather records (in temperate latitudes, 25-50-year series are used; in the tropics, their duration may be shorter), primarily over the following main meteorological elements: atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature and air humidity, cloudiness and precipitation. The duration of solar radiation, visibility range, temperature are also taken into account. upper layers soil and water bodies, evaporation of water from earth's surface into the atmosphere, the height and condition of the snow cover, various atmospheric phenomena and ground-based hydrometeors (dew, ice, fog, thunderstorms, snowstorms, etc.). In the XX century. The climatic indicators included characteristics of the elements of the heat balance of the earth's surface, such as total solar radiation, radiation balance, heat exchange between the earth's surface and the atmosphere, and heat consumption for evaporation. Complex indicators are also used, i.e., functions of several elements: various coefficients, factors, indices (for example, continentality, aridity, moisture), etc.

Climatic zones

Long-term average values ​​of meteorological elements (annual, seasonal, monthly, daily, etc.), their sums, frequencies, etc. are called climate standards: the corresponding values ​​for individual days, months, years, etc. are considered as a deviation from these norms.

Climate maps are called climatic(temperature distribution map, pressure distribution map, etc.).

Depending on the temperature conditions, prevailing air masses and winds, climatic zones.

The main climatic zones are:

• equatorial;
• two tropical;
• two moderate;
• arctic and antarctic.

Between the main belts there are transitional climatic zones: subequatorial, subtropical, subarctic, subantarctic. In transitional zones, air masses change with the seasons. They come here from neighboring belts, so the climate is sub equatorial belt in summer it is similar to the climate of the equatorial zone, and in winter - to the tropical climate; the climate of the subtropical zones in summer is similar to the climate of the tropical, and in winter - with the climate of the temperate zones. This is due to the seasonal movement of atmospheric pressure belts over the globe following the Sun: in summer - to the north, in winter - to the south.

Climatic zones are divided into climatic regions. So, for example, in the tropical belt of Africa, areas of tropical dry and tropical humid climate, and in Eurasia, the subtropical belt is subdivided into areas of the Mediterranean, continental and monsoon climate. In mountainous areas, altitudinal zonation is formed due to the fact that air temperature decreases with height.

Diversity of Earth's climates

The classification of climates provides an ordered system for characterizing climate types, their zoning and mapping. Let us give examples of climate types prevailing over vast territories (Table 1).

Arctic and Antarctic climate zones

Antarctic and arctic climate dominates in Greenland and Antarctica, where the average monthly temperatures are below 0 °C. Into the dark winter time During the year, these regions receive absolutely no solar radiation, although there are twilights and auroras. Even in summer Sun rays fall on the earth's surface at a slight angle, which reduces the heating efficiency. Most of the incoming solar radiation is reflected by the ice. In both summer and winter, low temperatures prevail in the elevated regions of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The climate of the interior of Antarctica is much colder than the climate of the Arctic, since the southern mainland is large and high, and the Arctic Ocean moderates the climate, despite the wide distribution of pack ice. In summer, during short periods of warming, drift ice sometimes melts. Precipitation on ice sheets falls in the form of snow or small particles of ice mist. Inland regions receive only 50-125 mm of precipitation annually, but more than 500 mm can fall on the coast. Sometimes cyclones bring clouds and snow to these areas. Snowfalls are often accompanied strong winds, which carry significant masses of snow, blowing it off the slope. Strong katabatic winds with snowstorms blow from the cold glacial sheet, bringing snow to the coast.

subarctic continental climate formed in the north of the continents (see. climate map atlas). In winter, arctic air prevails here, which is formed in areas of high pressure. In the eastern regions of Canada, Arctic air is distributed from the Arctic.

Continental subarctic climate in Asia, it is characterized by the largest annual amplitude of air temperature on the globe (60-65 ° С). The continentality of the climate here reaches its limit.

The average temperature in January varies across the territory from -28 to -50 °C, and in lowlands and hollows, due to air stagnation, its temperature is even lower. In Oymyakon (Yakutia), a record negative air temperature for the Northern Hemisphere (-71 °C) was registered. The air is very dry.

Summer in subarctic belt although short, but quite warm. The average monthly temperature in July ranges from 12 to 18 °C (daily maximum is 20-25 °C). Over the summer, more than half of the annual amount of precipitation falls, amounting to 200-300 mm on the flat territory, and up to 500 mm per year on the windward slopes of the hills.

The climate of the subarctic zone of North America is less continental than the corresponding climate of Asia. It has less cold winters and colder summers.

temperate climate zone

The temperate climate of the western coasts of the continents has pronounced features of the maritime climate and is characterized by the predominance of sea air masses throughout the year. It is observed on the Atlantic coast of Europe and the Pacific coast of North America. The Cordilleras are a natural boundary separating the coast with a maritime type of climate from the inland regions. The European coast, except for Scandinavia, is open to the free access of temperate maritime air.

The constant transfer of sea air is accompanied by high cloudiness and causes protracted springs, in contrast to the interior of the continental regions of Eurasia.

winter in temperate zone warm on the western coasts. The warming effect of the oceans is enhanced by warm sea currents washing the western shores of the continents. The average temperature in January is positive and varies across the territory from north to south from 0 to 6 °C. Intrusions of arctic air can lower it (on the Scandinavian coast down to -25°C, and on the French coast down to -17°C). With the spread of tropical air to the north, the temperature rises sharply (for example, it often reaches 10 ° C). In winter, on the western coast of Scandinavia, there are large positive temperature deviations from the average latitude (by 20 ° C). The temperature anomaly on the Pacific coast of North America is smaller and does not exceed 12 °С.

Summer is rarely hot. The average temperature in July is 15-16°C.

Even during the day, the air temperature rarely exceeds 30 °C. Due to frequent cyclones, cloudy and rainy weather is typical for all seasons. There are especially many cloudy days on the west coast of North America, where before mountain systems Cordillera cyclones are forced to slow down their movement. In connection with this, the weather regime in the south of Alaska is characterized by great uniformity, where there are no seasons in our understanding. Eternal autumn reigns there, and only plants remind of the onset of winter or summer. Annual rainfall ranges from 600 to 1000 mm, and on the slopes of mountain ranges - from 2000 to 6000 mm.

In conditions of sufficient moisture, broad-leaved forests are developed on the coasts, and in conditions of excessive moisture, coniferous forests. The lack of summer heat reduces the upper limit of the forest in the mountains to 500-700 m above sea level.

The temperate climate of the eastern coasts of the continents It has monsoonal features and is accompanied by a seasonal change of winds: in winter, northwestern flows predominate, in summer - southeast. It is well expressed on the eastern coast of Eurasia.

In winter, with a northwest wind, cold continental temperate air spreads to the coast of the mainland, which is the reason for the low average temperature of the winter months (from -20 to -25 ° C). Clear, dry, windy weather prevails. In the southern regions of the coast, there is little rainfall. The north of the Amur region, Sakhalin and Kamchatka often fall under the influence of cyclones moving over Pacific Ocean. Therefore, in winter there is a thick snow cover, especially in Kamchatka, where its maximum height reaches 2 m.

In summer, with a southeasterly wind, temperate sea air spreads on the coast of Eurasia. Summers are warm, with an average July temperature of 14 to 18 °C. Precipitation is frequent due to cyclonic activity. Their annual amount is 600-1000 mm, and most of it falls in the summer. Fog is frequent at this time of the year.

Unlike Eurasia, the east coast of North America is characterized by sea ​​features climate, which are expressed in the predominance of winter precipitation and the marine type of the annual variation in air temperature: the minimum occurs in February, and the maximum occurs in August, when the ocean is at its warmest.

The Canadian anticyclone, unlike the Asian one, is unstable. It forms far from the coast and is often interrupted by cyclones. Winter here is mild, snowy, wet and windy. In snowy winters, the height of snowdrifts reaches 2.5 m. With a southerly wind, icy conditions often occur. Therefore, some streets in some cities in eastern Canada have iron railings for pedestrians. Summers are cool and rainy. The annual rainfall is 1000 mm.

temperate continental climate most clearly expressed on the Eurasian continent, especially in the regions of Siberia, Transbaikalia, northern Mongolia, as well as on the territory of the Great Plains in North America.

A feature of the temperate continental climate is the large annual amplitude of air temperature, which can reach 50-60 °C. IN winter months with a negative radiation balance, the earth's surface cools. The cooling effect of the land surface on the surface layers of air is especially great in Asia, where a powerful Asian anticyclone forms in winter and cloudy, calm weather prevails. The temperate continental air formed in the area of ​​the anticyclone has a low temperature (-0°...-40°C). In valleys and basins, due to radiation cooling, the air temperature can drop to -60 °C.

In the middle of winter, the continental air in the lower layers becomes even colder than the Arctic. This very cold air of the Asian anticyclone spreads to Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, southeastern regions of Europe.

The winter Canadian anticyclone is less stable than the Asian anticyclone due to the smaller size of the North American continent. Winters here are less severe, and their severity does not increase towards the center of the mainland, as in Asia, but, on the contrary, decreases somewhat due to the frequent passage of cyclones. Continental temperate air in North America has more high temperature than continental temperate air in Asia.

On the formation of the continental temperate climate have a significant impact geographical features continental territories. In North America, the Cordillera mountain ranges form a natural boundary separating the coast from maritime climate from inland areas with a continental climate. In Eurasia, a temperate continental climate is formed over a vast expanse of land, approximately from 20 to 120 ° E. e. Unlike North America, Europe is open to free penetration of sea air from the Atlantic deep into the interior. This is facilitated not only by the western transfer of air masses, which prevails in temperate latitudes, but also by the flat nature of the relief, the strong indentation of the coasts and the deep penetration into the land of the Baltic and North Seas. Therefore, a temperate climate of a lesser degree of continentality is formed over Europe compared to Asia.

In winter, the Atlantic sea air, moving over the cold land surface of the temperate latitudes of Europe, retains its physical properties and its influence extends throughout Europe. In winter, as the Atlantic influence weakens, the air temperature decreases from west to east. In Berlin it is 0 °С in January, -3 °С in Warsaw, -11 °С in Moscow. At the same time, the isotherms over Europe have a meridional orientation.

The orientation of Eurasia and North America with a wide front to the Arctic Basin contributes to the deep penetration of cold air masses onto the continents throughout the year. Intense meridional transport of air masses is especially characteristic of North America, where arctic and tropical air often replace each other.

Tropical air entering the plains of North America with southern cyclones is also slowly transforming due to high speed its movement, high moisture content and continuous low cloudiness.

In winter, the result of intense meridional circulation of air masses are the so-called “jumps” of temperatures, their large daily amplitude, especially in areas where cyclones are frequent: in the north of Europe and Western Siberia, the Great Plains of North America.

In the cold period, they fall in the form of snow, a snow cover forms, which protects the soil from deep freezing and creates a supply of moisture in the spring. The height of the snow cover depends on the duration of its occurrence and the amount of precipitation. In Europe, a stable snow cover on the flat territory is formed east of Warsaw, its maximum height reaches 90 cm in the northeastern regions of Europe and Western Siberia. In the center of the Russian Plain, the height of the snow cover is 30-35 cm, and in Transbaikalia it is less than 20 cm. On the plains of Mongolia, in the center of the anticyclonic region, snow cover is formed only in individual years. The absence of snow, along with the low winter air temperature, causes the presence of permafrost, which is no longer observed anywhere on the globe under these latitudes.

In North America, the Great Plains have little snow cover. To the east of the plains, tropical air begins to take part in the frontal processes more and more, it intensifies the frontal processes, which causes heavy snowfalls. In the Montreal area, the snow cover lasts up to four months, and its height reaches 90 cm.

Summer in the continental regions of Eurasia is warm. The average July temperature is 18-22°C. In dry regions of southeastern Europe and Central Asia the average air temperature in July reaches 24-28 °C.

In North America, continental air is somewhat colder in summer than in Asia and Europe. This is due to the smaller extent of the mainland in latitude, the large indentation of its northern part with bays and fjords, the abundance of large lakes, and the more intense development of cyclonic activity compared to the interior regions of Eurasia.

In the temperate zone, the annual amount of precipitation on the flat territory of the continents varies from 300 to 800 mm; on the windward slopes of the Alps, more than 2000 mm falls. Most of the precipitation falls in the summer, which is primarily due to an increase in the moisture content of the air. In Eurasia, there is a decrease in precipitation across the territory from west to east. In addition, the amount of precipitation also decreases from north to south due to a decrease in the frequency of cyclones and an increase in air dryness in this direction. In North America, a decrease in precipitation across the territory is noted, on the contrary, in the direction to the west. Why do you think?

Most of the land in the continental temperate zone is occupied by mountain systems. These are the Alps, Carpathians, Altai, Sayans, Cordillera, Rocky Mountains, etc. In mountainous areas climatic conditions significantly different from the climate of the plains. In summer, the air temperature in the mountains drops rapidly with altitude. In winter, when cold air masses invade, the air temperature in the plains often turns out to be lower than in the mountains.

The influence of mountains on precipitation is great. Precipitation increases on the windward slopes and at some distance in front of them, and weakens on the leeward slopes. For example, differences in annual rainfall between the western and eastern slopes Ural mountains sometimes reach 300 mm. In mountains with height, precipitation increases to a certain critical level. In the Alps, the level of the greatest amount of precipitation occurs at an altitude of about 2000 m, in the Caucasus - 2500 m.

Subtropical climate zone

Continental subtropical climate determined by the seasonal change of temperate and tropical air. The average temperature of the coldest month in Central Asia is below zero in places, in the northeast of China -5...-10°C. The average temperature of the warmest month is in the range of 25-30°C, while daily highs can exceed 40-45°C.

The most strongly continental climate in the air temperature regime is manifested in the southern regions of Mongolia and in the north of China, where the center of the Asian anticyclone is located in the winter season. Here, the annual amplitude of air temperature is 35-40 °С.

Sharply continental climate in the subtropical zone for the high-mountainous regions of the Pamirs and Tibet, whose height is 3.5-4 km. The climate of the Pamirs and Tibet is characterized by cold winters, cool summers and low rainfall.

In North America, a continental arid subtropical climate is formed in closed plateaus and in intermountain basins located between the Coastal and Rocky Ranges. Summers are hot and dry, especially in the south, where the average July temperature is above 30°C. The absolute maximum temperature can reach 50 °C and above. In Death Valley, a temperature of +56.7 °C was recorded!

Humid subtropical climate characteristic of the eastern coasts of the continents north and south of the tropics. The main areas of distribution are the southeastern United States, some southeastern regions of Europe, northern India and Myanmar, eastern China and southern Japan, northeastern Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil, the coast of Natal in South Africa and the east coast of Australia. Summer in the humid subtropics is long and hot, with the same temperatures as in the tropics. The average temperature of the warmest month exceeds +27 °С, and the maximum temperature is +38 °С. Winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures above 0°C, but occasional frosts have a detrimental effect on vegetable and citrus plantations. In the humid subtropics, the average annual precipitation ranges from 750 to 2000 mm, the distribution of precipitation over the seasons is quite uniform. In winter, rains and rare snowfalls are brought mainly by cyclones. In summer, precipitation falls mainly in the form of thunderstorms associated with powerful inflows of warm and humid oceanic air, characteristic of monsoon circulation. East Asia. Hurricanes (or typhoons) appear in late summer and autumn, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

subtropical climate with dry summers is typical of the western coasts of the continents north and south of the tropics. in southern Europe and North Africa such climatic conditions are typical for the coasts mediterranean sea, which was the reason to call this climate also mediterranean. A similar climate is in southern California, the central regions of Chile, in the extreme south of Africa and in a number of areas in southern Australia. All these regions have hot summers and mild winters. As in the humid subtropics, there are occasional frosts in winter. In hinterland in summer, temperatures are much higher than on the coasts, and often the same as in tropical deserts. In general, clear weather prevails. In summer, on the coasts near which ocean currents pass, there are often fogs. For example, in San Francisco, summers are cool, foggy, and the warmest month is September. The maximum precipitation is associated with the passage of cyclones in winter, when the prevailing air currents mix towards the equator. The influence of anticyclones and downward air currents over the oceans determine the dryness of the summer season. Average annual rainfall under conditions subtropical climate ranges from 380 to 900 mm and reaches maximum values ​​on the coasts and mountain slopes. In the summer, there is usually not enough rainfall for the normal growth of trees, and therefore a specific type of evergreen shrub vegetation develops there, known as maquis, chaparral, mal i, macchia and fynbosh.

Equatorial climate zone

Equatorial type of climate distributed in equatorial latitudes in the Amazon basin in South America and the Congo in Africa, on the Malay Peninsula and on the islands of Southeast Asia. Usually mean annual temperature about +26 °С. Due to the high noon position of the Sun above the horizon and the same length of the day throughout the year, seasonal temperature fluctuations are small. Humid air, cloudiness and dense vegetation prevent nighttime cooling and maintain maximum daytime temperatures below +37 °C, lower than at higher latitudes. The average annual rainfall in the humid tropics ranges from 1500 to 3000 mm and is usually evenly distributed over the seasons. Precipitation is mainly associated with the intratropical convergence zone, which is located slightly north of the equator. Seasonal shifts of this zone to the north and south in some areas lead to the formation of two precipitation maxima during the year, separated by drier periods. Every day, thousands of thunderstorms roll over the humid tropics. In the intervals between them, the sun shines in full force.