50 08 Climatology Flashcards
What is the ITCZ and explain where it is during:
- Jan
- July
- Intertropical Convergence Zone: band of maximum heating around the earth
Jan:
- Southernmost latitude: 20 degrees South, South America
- Northernmost latitude: 0 to 7 degrees North, Dakar
July:
- Northernmost latitude: 15 to 20 degrees North, China
- Southernmost latitude: 5 degrees North, Dakar
What is the average position of the ITCZ over the Atlantic?
5 degrees N
What sort of system can the ITCZ cause?
- Due to the general uplift at the ITCZ this can form Mesoscale Convective Systems
- Large system of TS
What are the global low level wind bands and at what latitudes do they reside?
Doldrums:
- 5 degrees N to 5 degrees S
- Very calm to no wind
- Belt of low pressure, air rising straight up
Horse Latitudes:
- 30 to 40 degrees N and S
- Very calm to no wind
- Belt of high pressures, air sinking straight down
- Roaring 40’s: 40 degrees N and S
- Furious 50’s: 50 degrees N and S
- Screaming 60’s: 60 degrees N and S
Describe the Monsoons across the globe in July
- NW Africa has SW Monsoons which are Wet and Warm
- India has SW Monsoons which are Wet and Warm
Describe the Monsoons across the globe in Jan
- NE Australia has NW Monsoons which are Wet and Warm
- NE Africa has NE Monsoons which are Dry and Cool
- India has NE Monsoons which are Dry and Cool
Describe Easterly Waves, where they form and the weather they bring
- Generated by the convergence of air from the sea and the west coast of Africa
- Characterised as a weak trough
- Between 5 and 20 degrees N
- Trailing edge brings convergence weather such as TS, Cb and squall lines
- 1 in 10 becomes a TRS
Describe El Niño and El Nina
- Happen every 7 to 9 years but are unpredictable
El Niño:
- Caused by higher than normal temperatures in the Atlantic
- Effects the trade winds by weakening them
- TS in E. South America, flooding. Drought in Australia
El Nina:
- Caused by lower than normal temperatures in the Atlantic
- Effects the trade winds by strengthening them
- Drought in E. South America, flooding. TS and Flooding in Australia
What are the average 0 degrees isotherms in,
- Jan
- Jul
Jan:
- Eq: 16000
- 40 degrees N and S: 10000
- 60 degrees N and S: Surface
Jul:
- Eq: 18000
- 40 degrees N and S: 16000
- 60 degrees N and S: 8000
What are the classifications of climates according to the Koeppen system:
- Name
- Latitudes
- Types
What is the system based on?
- Equatorial: 0 to 20 degrees N and S, Savannah, Rain Forest
- Arid: 20 to 35 degrees N and S, Dessert, Steppe
- Temperate: 35 to 60 degrees N and S
- Snow: 40 to 60 degrees N, Boreal
- Polar: 60 to 90 degrees N and S
Describe the Equatorial Rainforest zone:
- Latitude
- Rain seasons
- Temperatures
- Weather
- 10 degrees N and S
- 2 main rainy seasons, March and Sep, but never dry
- Avg. Temp is 25 to 35 degrees C with high humidity
- Convective cloud and light winds (Doldrums)
Describe the Equatorial Savannah zone:
- Latitude
- Rain seasons
- Temperatures
- Weather
- 10 to 20 degrees N and S
- 1 main rainy season when ITCZ penetrates the region (July/Summer) otherwise dry
- Avg. Temp. 18 degrees C all year
Describe the Arid Desert zone:
- Latitude
- Stability
- Weather
- 20 to 30 degrees N and S
- Stable, sinking air due to sub-tropical Highs
- Clear sky’s, no cloud
- Highest Diurnal range
- Frequent inversions
Describe the Arid Steppes zone:
- Latitude
- Rain amount
- Country
- Borders dessert regions at 30 to 35 degrees N and S
- Short rain season so low vegetation
- Steppes of Russia
Describe the Warm Temperate zone:
- Latitude
- Weather in Summer
- Weather in Winter
- 35 to 40 degrees N and S
- Hot dry highs in Summer
- Cool unsettled frontal lows in Winter
