Chapter 20 - Climatology

Question 1

What effect does the monsoon of SE Asia have on weather in the area?

Answer 1

They have rainy summers and dry winters throughout.

Question 2

What defines a monsoon?

Answer 2

A place where trade winds reverse after crossing the equator.

Question 3

Where do monsoons occur?

Answer 3

Arabian sea

Bay of Bengal

Gulf of Guinea

Eastern Pacific just north of equator

South China sea

Question 4

What latitudes surround the equator, what kind of pressures and weather can be expected?

Answer 4

10deg N/S

Low pressure and all seasons rainy

Question 5

What latitudes surround the mid latitudes and what kind of weather can be expected?

Answer 5

35 - 40 deg N/S

Dry summer/wet winter

Question 6

What latitudes surround the sub arctic, what kind of pressures and weather can be expected?

Answer 6

40 - 65deg N/S

Low pressure

All seasons wet.

Question 7

What latitudes surround the poles, what kind of pressures and weather can be expected?

Answer 7

65 - 90deg N/S

High pressure

All seasons dry

Question 8

What kind of weather can be expected in latitudes of 10-20deg N/S?

Answer 8

Tropical rain

Wet summer / dry winter

Question 9

What are the W.Keoppen’s climate zones?

Answer 9

A - Tropical rain

B - Dry

C- Mid latitude

D - Sub arctic

E - Snow

Question 10

Where is the Boreal?

Answer 10

40 - 60deg N

Question 11

What is all weather modified by?

Answer 11

Topography and sea proximity

Question 12

What is a Doldrum?

Answer 12

Lack of wind

Question 13

What are the features of a polar climate zone?

Answer 13

65 - 90 lat.

Typical anticyclone weather

Small annual precipitation

Surface is icecap or tundra

Very cold

Question 14

What are the features of a disturbed temperate climate zone?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What are the features of a temperate transitional climate zone?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What are the features of a Arid sub-tropical climate zone?

Answer 16

20 - 35 lat

Affected by subtropical highs

Generally fine weather

Desert regions predominate zone

Question 17

What are the features of a tropical transitional climate zone?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What are the features of the equatorial climate zone?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What are the features of the boreal climate zone?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What are the features of the inter tropical convergence zone?

Answer 20

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.