Chapter 9 Flashcards
Temperature and precipitation reveals…
General climate types.
Insolation
Incoming solar radiation is (energy input)
What causes
global circulation of winds and
currents?
Energy surplusing at equator.
Energy deficiting at poles .
Temperature controls
- Land water heating differences
- Latitude
- Evaluation
- Cloud cover
- Ocean currents
Air pressure
Winds flow from areas of high
pressure to areas of low
pressure.
Pressure patterns influence…
Atmospheric circulation and movement of air masses.
Tropical
tropical latitudes, winterless
Mesothermal
midlatitudes, mild winters
Microthermal
mid- and high latitudes, cold winters
Polar and Highland
high latitudes and polar regions
Mesothermal Climate
Warm and temperate (moderate/mild) climates
More than ½ the worlds population reside here
Mesothermal Climate weather
◦ Latitudinal effects on insolation and temperature
◦ Maritime and continental air mass shifting
◦ Migration of low-pressure and high-pressure systems
◦ Monthly average temperatures never dip below freezing
Microthermal Climates
Experience great temperature ranges related to continentality and air mass conflicts.
Steppes
Semiarid grassland, less of a moisture deficit but permanent water shortage.
Desert Controls/Characteristics
Latitude, continentality, rain shadow
Xerophytes (needs little water) and phreatophytes (tap root to find the water)
