Chapter 20 - Climatology Flashcards
What effect does the monsoon of SE Asia have on weather in the area?
They have rainy summers and dry winters throughout.
What defines a monsoon?
A place where trade winds reverse after crossing the equator.
Where do monsoons occur?
Arabian sea
Bay of Bengal
Gulf of Guinea
Eastern Pacific just north of equator
South China sea
What latitudes surround the equator, what kind of pressures and weather can be expected?
10deg N/S
Low pressure and all seasons rainy
What latitudes surround the mid latitudes and what kind of weather can be expected?
35 - 40 deg N/S
Dry summer/wet winter
What latitudes surround the sub arctic, what kind of pressures and weather can be expected?
40 - 65deg N/S
Low pressure
All seasons wet.
What latitudes surround the poles, what kind of pressures and weather can be expected?
65 - 90deg N/S
High pressure
All seasons dry
What kind of weather can be expected in latitudes of 10-20deg N/S?
Tropical rain
Wet summer / dry winter
What are the W.Keoppen’s climate zones?
A - Tropical rain
B - Dry
C- Mid latitude
D - Sub arctic
E - Snow
Where is the Boreal?
40 - 60deg N
What is all weather modified by?
Topography and sea proximity
What is a Doldrum?
Lack of wind
What are the features of a polar climate zone?
65 - 90 lat.
Typical anticyclone weather
Small annual precipitation
Surface is icecap or tundra
Very cold
What are the features of a disturbed temperate climate zone?
40 - 65 lat
Weather dominated by travelling depressions
Lots of precipitation - often snow & sleet in winter.
Predominating winds have a westerly component with possible gales.
No dry season
What are the features of a temperate transitional climate zone?
35 - 40 lat
Boundary zone influenced by disturbed temperate zone in winter & sub tropical zone in summer.
Winter weather is classic of depressions
Summer weath is classic of anticyclones.
What are the features of a Arid sub-tropical climate zone?
20 - 35 lat
Affected by subtropical highs
Generally fine weather
Desert regions predominate zone
What are the features of a tropical transitional climate zone?
10 - 20 lat
Dry air from subtropical region picks up moisture as winds flow over oceans
Distinct wet season in summer
Otherwise known as savanah climate
What are the features of the equatorial climate zone?
10S - 10N lat
Two periods of heavy rainfall annually
Areas at edge get 1 rainfall season annually
Heavy showers and thunderstorms are frequent
Very hot
What are the features of the boreal climate zone?
40N - 60N lat
Dry cold climate
Only in NH over large land mass where heavily forested
Warm & moist in summer
Very cold & dry in winter
What are the features of the inter tropical convergence zone?
It is a line of convergent weather marking the thermal equator.
Moves with the sun but varies depending on the area it is over
Low pressure belt
Contains extensive Cu, Cb & thunderstorms formed by low level convection of trade winds.
Stable air will result in AS & NS with continuous rain
Severe turbulence and icing will be encountered.
